The Mets hit a home run with a DH signing last night. They also got a home run from their DH today.
Mark Vientos, who may suddenly be playing for a roster spot, hit an opposite-field, two-run home run off Luis Gil in the second inning, but the Mets (14-11) lost 5-3 to the New York Yankees (12-15) Friday in Tampa, Fla.
Photo Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
With the news that J.D. Martinez will be coming to Queens on a one-year, $12 million deal, it is unclear if Vientos will spend a majority of the season with the Mets or at Triple-A Syracuse. He was previously expected to see the lion’s share of at-bats at designated hitter in a prove-it year for the former top prospect.
A questionable decision by third baseman Brett Baty may have led to the Yankees’ go-ahead rally in the sixth inning. With runners at the corners and one out, catcher Jose Trevino hit a hard ground ball to Baty. It appeared Baty had plenty of time to start a potential inning-ending 5-4-3 double play, but he instead threw home and got one out. The next batter, Kevin Smith, doubled in two runs to give the Yankees a 4-3 lead. The Yankees later added another run when Gleyber Torres singled in Smith.
Mets starter Tyler Stuart gave up two runs in three innings and the 6’9″ prospect fanned the 6’7″ Aaron Judge for his only strikeout. In spring training, pitchers are allowed to leave the game and return. As a result, Hunter Parsons relieved Stuart in the third and fourth innings and both times allowed an inherited runner to score. Parsons struck out three in his inning of work, including Torres.
Prospect Jeffrey Colon, a 24-year-old right-hander from the Dominican Republic who pitched at Single-A Brooklyn last season, gave up three earned runs on two hits and three walks in two innings of work and took the loss.
Notes
Martinez is reportedly expected to start the season in the minor leagues after missing a vast majority of spring training. The stint will likely last about 10 days.
Stuart, 24, struck out 112 in 110 2/3 innings with a 2.20 ERA across two minor league levels last year.
Zack Short stole his third base and had a nice back-handed stop on a hard ground ball up the middle that he turned into a 4-3 double play. Francisco Álvarez stole his first of the spring.
Pete Alonso went 2-for-4. Francisco Lindor was 0-for-3 with a sacrifice fly and is hitting .163.
Joshua Cornielly and Paul Gervase each tossed scoreless innings.
The Mets have four spring training games remaining. Opening Day is in six days vs. Milwaukee at Citi Field. The MMO staff took a crack at what the lineup will look like with the addition of Martinez.
Player of the Game
Vientos mashed his fifth home run of the spring as he is now hitting .222/.250/.537 with 18 strikeouts through 54 at-bats. The 24-year-old hit nine home runs in 233 plate appearances last season while slashing .253/.267/.367.
On Deck
José Quintana (0-1, 4.15 ERA) will start as New York hosts Houston at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie. Cristian Javier (2-1, 4.30 ERA) will go for the Astros. The game will be broadcast on SNY at 1:10 p.m. ET.
