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Latest Mets News
Brodie Van Wagenen spoke to the media on Friday and addressed the how Robinson Cano has not been at Citi Field the past two days, “There’s a variety of reasons why players are here or no here on a given day, and we’re going to protect those players’ rights.” Anthony DiComo of MLB reported the comments made by Van Wagenen. The Mets GM also mentioned that the Mets will not reveal whether any members of the team have tested positive during the intake testing process citing that they intend to protect the privacy of the players.
According to DiComo, the Mets alternate training facility in Brooklyn at MCU Park will be opening soon and the organization plans to add more players to their 60-man plays pool at that time. Currently, there are only 51 players in their player pool, leaving nine open spots for any additions they intend to make.
Dominican sports journalist, Tenchy Rodriguez has revealed that former Met Jose Reyes has announced his retirement from baseball, this news was translated and reported by Hector Gomez of MLB Insider.
Latest MLB News
The MLB PR team announced that they have completed their intake screenings and determined that there were 66 people who tested positive for COVID-19 out of the 3,748 total samples that were tested (1.8% of those tested): 58 of the 66 were players, while the remaining eight were staff members. 27 different clubs had an individual test positive during the intake screening.
Additionally, the MLB continued to the monitoring testing stage. This process will test “Tier 1” individuals every other day while “Tier 2” individuals will be tested multiple times per week. At the moment, the monitor testing results include 7,401 performed tests, where 17 new positive tests have been confirmed. Out of the 17 new positive tests, 13 were players and the remaining four were staff members. 10 different clubs had a positive test during this stage.
After combining the results from the Intake Screening and Monitor Testing, 11,149 tests were sampled and a total of 83 positive tests, 71 players 12 staff members, were found since June 27. 28 out of 30 clubs have had at least one individual test positive across both testing stages.
Andrew Baggarly of the Athletic reported that Buster Posey has opted out of the 2020 MLB season. Posey has opted out because he, and his wife, are adopting identical twin girls who were recently born prematurely and are currently in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) and will be there for a while and he doesn’t want to risk infecting them.
Former Mets beat reporter and now, writer for The Athletic, Marc Carig reflects on his favorite ballpark to visit out of the 38 MLB parks he has been too.
Ben Nicholson-Smith of SportsNet reported that according to the Blue Jays Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will now be focusing on first base and DH duties. His original position was third base, which will remain an option but will no longer be his primary position.
Scott Mitchell of TSNSports reported that the Toronto Blue Jays players have been informed that were will be a penalty if they are seen outside the ballpark. The penalty includes a $750,000 fine and possible jail time.
The White Sox announced that Michael Kopech will not be participating in the 2020 season as stated by Scott Merkin of MLB.
Puerto Rico’s winter league has added an expansion team named RA12 which is owned by former Mets Roberto Alomar, as reported by Nathalie Alonso of MLB. The Astros’ hitting coach Alex Cintrón will manage the team, and the Mets’ bullpen coach Rickey Bones will be the pitching coach. The GM will be Alomar’s dad, Sandy Alomar Sr.
Latest NL East News
Todd Zolecki of MLB wrote an article explaining that J.T. Realmuto has not had contract extension talks since before the league shutdown. Realmuto asked if reporters could avoid the topic altogether, “I’d appreciate if we can keep the questions away from the contract situation,” he said, “…if we could focus on the team here and speak a little bit less about myself that would be greatly appreciated.”
Latest on MMO
Tim Ryder‘s Simply Amazin’ podcast was posted on Friday and he was joined by special guest Andrew Battifarano of MiLB.com
Marshall Field wrote about the Epic Mets Moments Bracket from the MetsMerized twitter account. Field recapped the remaining top eight moments in the polling.
Mike Mayer reported the breaking news of Buster Posey not playing in the 2020 season.
Jacob Resnick recapped Brodie Van Wagenen’s presser with the media on Friday.
On This Day in Mets History
Happy Birthday to Dick Rusteck (79)!
1985: Nolan Ryan, then Astros pitcher, struck out Mets left-fielder Danny Heep in the sixth inning of a 4-3 win for Houston, to become the first major leaguer to record 4,000 career strikeouts. He ended his 27-year career with 5,714 Ks.
Stay happy, healthy, and safe!
