Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Good morning, Mets fans!

The Mets sweeped their doubleheader with the Phillies yesterday with 4-3 and 4-0 wins, including a Marcus Stroman gem in the latter game. (Stroman might’ve finished the game but he told the dugout his legs were getting cold while out on the bases.)

The team got timely hits from Jonathan Villar and Brandon Nimmo across both games as the Mets combined to go 6-for-21 with runners in scoring position on the day.

You can read the recaps of the first game here and the second game here.

Now let’s get into the morning briefing.

Latest Mets News

Michael Conforto had X-rays on his wrist after Game 1 of the doubleheader after being hit by a José Alvarado fastball. They were negative, and he was available to hit in Game 2 if needed. He should be good to go for Wednesday’s game.

The Mets signed three minor league free agent pitchers: righties Luis Alvarez and Luis Rodriguez and lefty Felipe De La Cruz.

L.J. Mazzilli, who played in the Mets’ minor league system for parts of six years, signed a deal with the Long Island Ducks, according to MMO‘s Michael Mayer. Mazzilli also played with the Ducks in 2019.

Latest MLB News

The Red Sox have won seven games in a row after their 4-2 win versus the Twins on Tuesday. Rafael Devers has five home runs in the last four games. They’re rolling.

Speaking of rolling, here’s the latest update with the Akil Baddoo bandwagon:

The Seattle Mariners announced James Paxton will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery Wednesday. This was believed to be the case, but the team confirmed the surgery today.

The Braves will put Christian Pache on the 10-day injured list, according to The Athletic‘s Dave O’Brien.

Matt Duffy became the fourth player the Cubs had to place on the COVID-19 injured list. This doesn’t mean he tested positive–he just became another player who at least has to go through quarantining protocols after coming into contact with one of the two coaches who have, according to ESPN‘s Jesse Rogers.

The Pirates shared a cool side-by-side of pitcher David Bednar on the dugout steps of PNC Park as a kid and now as a reliever for the team.

Latest on MMO

Ryan Finkelstein analyzes Taijuan Walker‘s second start as a Met from game one of yesterday’s doubleheader.

Jacob deGrom and Brandon Nimmo earn Players of the Week honors for the Mets from Brain Devine.

You shouldn’t worry about Michael Conforto‘s small slump to start the year, writes Thomas Hall.

Steve Schaeffler identifies the No. 16 through 20 prospects in the Mets system.

MMO Digital

On today’s episode of Locked On Mets, host Ryan Finkelstein breaks down the Mets sweep of the Phillies yesterday, which included a walk-off hit by Jonathan Villar. Ryan issues an apology to Villar after having previously criticizing him on the show last week and celebrates the fact that the Mets are suddenly in first place.

On This Date in Mets History

The Mets sold Brooklyn Dodgers legend Duke Snider, who played for the 1963 Mets, to the San Francisco Giants on April 14, 1964. He retired after the season and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980.

Also, happy 31st birthday to Jacob Barnes!

Finally, legendary Met Dave Kingman hit a mammoth home run out of Wrigley Field on this day in 1976. It was estimated to go nearly 600 feet in this recollection in the Chicago Tribune.

While I couldn’t find video of this home run, there is video of Kingman hitting another bomb out of Wrigley when he played for the Cubs in 1979.

Let’s go Mets!