Morning Briefing: Alonso and Smith Both Stay Hot

Good Morning Mets Fans!!

Jason Vargas will make his second start of the spring against top prospect Sandy Alcantara and the Miami Marlins. Vargas allowed a homer on the second pitch he threw in his first training start, but eventually settled in and only allowed one other baserunner in his two innings of work. The game is at 1:10 p.m.

Yesterday, the Mets had two split-squad games. The first matchup was against the reigning World Series champions, the Boston Red Sox. The Mets’ pitching had a rough day as Steven Matz didn’t last through the third inning, and Justin Wilson and Eric Hanhold allowed two runs apiece. Dominic Smith continued his impressive spring, going 2-for-4 with an RBI double. If you’ve watched ESPN in the last day, you’ll also probably already know that Tim Tebow collected his first two hits of the spring.

Meanwhile, at FITTEAM Ballpark, the Mets’ offense went ballistic, recording six extra-base hits. Pete Alonso went deep for the second time this spring and Luis Carpio hit a go-ahead double in a three-run eighth. Corey Oswalt started the game for the Amazin’s and permitted a run in 2.1 innings.

Latest Mets News

On Sunday, the Mets hosted the Mets on the Move organization, an event that brought nearby kids to take part in activities at First Data Field.

Amed Rosario avoided serious injury after getting hit on the hand by a 91-mph Mike Shawaryn fastball, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.

The Mets agreed to terms with of their 25-of-26 pre-arbitration players. The lone exception was Edwin Diaz, who they renewed for $607,425 dollars.

Jim Salisbury of NBCSPhilly hears that the Mets have recruited Tim Kissner to join their scouting staff.

The Mets announced that they hired Al Leiter and John Franco as baseball operation advisors.

MetsMerizedOnline’s own Michael Mayer hears that the Mets have also signed 19-year-old Ronis Aybar.

Latest News in the MLB

The Giants’ Board of Directors‘ released a press release saying that former CEO Larry Baer has stepped away from day-to-day baseball operations. A troubling video emerged last week of him pushing his wife, Pam.

Kevin Acee of San-Diego Union-Tribune tweets that Travis Jankowski has a broken wrist.

Patrick Mooney of The Athletic hears that a viral infection prompted the Cubs to lower their contract offer to Brad Brach to 1.6 million dollars.

Rocco Baldelli has named Jose Berrios as the Twins’ Opening Day starter.

Joe Madden tabbed Jon Lester as his Opening-Day starter.

Jared Diamond of The Wall Street Journal writes that Michael Lorenzen is expected to become the latest two-way player.

Legendary rocker Jack White is the main benefactor behind a movement to install a new Negro League ballpark in Detroit.

Cards skipper Mike Shildt is a fan of the #AbolishtheDH movement.