Paul Blackburn hurt his case for a spot in the rotation, but Max Kranick bolstered his bid for a place in the bullpen.
Max Kranick. Photo Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
Blackburn served up a pair of homers Friday in the Mets’ 5-4 walk-off loss to the Washington Nationals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Fla. CJ Abrams hit a solo shot in the third, and two batters later James Wood connected for a two-run blast off the 31-year-old veteran, who gave up three runs and five hits over 2 1/3 innings. He also walked two and didn’t strikeout a batter.
He was relieved by Kranick, who got five outs, striking out two and allowing no runs on one hit. In eight innings this spring, Kranick hasn’t allowed a run and his K:BB ratio is 9:0. With the Mets waiving Sean Reid-Foley this week and injuries to A.J. Minter and Dedniel Núñez making them potentially unavailable for Opening Day, Kranick could be in line to make the team.
“Max’s life on his fastball is up to 97 mph, really good sweeper,” manager Carlos Mendoza told The Athletic in an article posted Friday about which players were turning heads at spring training. “He put himself in a nice position after battling injuries the past couple of years.”
José Azocar was 2-for-2 with an RBI single and a run scored, Francisco Alvarez was 1-for-2 with an RBI single and the Mets scored two runs when Wood misplayed a Brett Baty line drive to left with the bases loaded and two outs in the sixth inning.
Chris Devenski, José Buttó and TJ Shook each threw one scoreless inning apiece. Huascar Brazobán gave up two hits and a walk, including an RBI single to Abrams in the sixth that knotted the game at 4.
The Nats walked it off when Nasim Nuñez singled to right and Travis Swaggerty committed an error that allowed the winning run to score. Ben Simon didn’t record an out and took the loss.
Mendoza told reporters pre-game that Brandon Nimmo, who has a sore right knee and just one spring at-bat, should be ready for more game action soon.
“He’s getting live at-bats today, some more live at-bats tomorrow and then you know hopefully Sunday he’ll get in the lineup,” Mendoza said.
He added that Nimmo faced Minter in live batting practice. Minter had left hip surgery last August and has been facing live batters for the first time since the procedure this week. He hopes to be ready for Opening Day.
Player of the Game
It would be a wonderful story if Kranick could make the team. The 27-year-old ex-Pirate hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since May 11, 2022. He underwent Tommy John surgery that year and dealt with other injuries since. The Mets picked him up off waivers in January 2024, and he pitched 70 2/3 innings to a 3.82 ERA across three minor league levels last year.
On Deck
David Peterson (3 IP, 0.00 ERA, five strikeouts) makes his second spring training appearance with a start against the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter, Fla. RHP Max Meyer (3 IP, 0.00 ERA, two strikeouts) starts for the Marlins. First pitch is at 6:40 p.m. ET.
