Morning Briefing: Zach Thornton to Start Today

Good morning, Mets fans!

The Mets fell 9-6 to the Nationals on Tuesday night after blowing an early 5-0 lead and wasting a breakout performance from Bo Bichette. Bichette launched a couple two-run home runs and drove in four runs, but starter Nolan McLean had the toughest outing of his young career. He allowed nine runs as Washington stormed back behind James Wood’s inside-the-park grand slam and multiple costly Mets errors. Juan Soto added a late homer and Daniel Duarte impressed in relief in his Mets debut, but New York’s offense couldn’t muster up another rally

Read more about Tuesday’s action here, via MMO‘s Alexis Farinacci.

The Mets wrap up their series against the Nationals tonight in the rubber game at 6:45 p.m. ET on SNY. New York will hand the ball to Zach Thornton, who is set to make his MLB debut. It was confirmed Tuesday night by MLB.com‘s Anthony DiComo that Thornton will start without an opener throwing in front of him. Washington will be going with right-hander Zack Littell, who struggled against the Mets earlier this season. He allowed eight runs (four earned) in just 3 2/3 innings.

Zach Thornton
Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

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Southpaw A.J. Minter continued his rehab assignment Tuesday with another scoreless outing for Triple-A Syracuse, retiring all three batters he faced and recording a strikeout. Across 9 2/3 rehab innings, the left-hander has posted a dominant 0.93 ERA as he works his way back from injury.

Nick Morabito was given No. 8 by the Mets. However, it is Gary Carter‘s old number, a number that has been unofficially retired since 2001. Morabito will be receiving a new number today, according to the New York Post‘s Mike Puma. Morabito said after the game that he will be picking number 55.

The Mets announced several roster moves on Wednesday, including transferring right-handed pitcher Clay Holmes to the 60-day injured list and recalling outfielder Nick Morabito from Triple-A. The team also designated outfielder Austin Slater for assignment, while left-handed pitcher Anderson Severino was selected to the major league roster before being optioned back to Triple-A after Tuesday’s game.

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Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reported on Tuesday that the Nationals optioned outfielder Joey Wiemer as the corresponding move for calling up Dylan Crews.

Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers was diagnosed with a right hamate fracture, per Bobby Nightengale of the Minnesota Star Tribune. Minnesota also optioned former first overall draft pick Royce Lewis to Triple-A (as first reported by Dan Hayes of The Athletic).

The Braves placed catcher Drake Baldwin on the 10-day injured list with a Grade 1 right oblique strain, meaning the injury is relatively minor. The 25-year-old has been in the middle of a breakout season, hitting .303/.389/.543 with 13 home runs while appearing in all 48 games for Atlanta before the injury.