Morning Briefing: Astros, Braves Earn Crucial Road Wins

Good morning, Mets fans!

The Houston Astros defeated the Boston Red Sox 9-1 last night behind a strong eight inning, one earned run performance by Framber Valdez. Additionally, the Atlanta Braves defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers by a score a 9-2 powered by back-to-back home runs courtesy of Eddie Rosario and Adam Duvall.

Now, it is time for the morning briefing.

Latest Mets News

Carlos Carrasco had a successful elbow surgery yesterday at the hospital for special surgery in Manhattan. Carrasco is expected to return for spring training, according to Mike Puma of The New York Post. The official statement from the New York Mets twitter is below.

Billy Beane, the current executive vice president of the Oakland Athletics, will not be the new president of baseball operations, saying that “The only reason I would consider leaving what I’m doing now is because of Sandy Alderson and Steve Cohen. However, Beane continued by saying, “creating chaos in my children’s lives for my own ambition feels like a selfish thing to do.” Theo Epstein and David Stearns are also not options for the position.

Latest MLB News

The Milwaukee Brewers released hitting coach Andy Haines. Jacob Cruz, the assistant hitting coach, is currently free to explore other opportunities.

Major League Baseball announced yesterday that they are donating $300,000 to restore thirty baseball fields in underprivileged areas within the Dominican Republic. On MLB opening day last season, there were 98 Dominican-born players in the league, the most of any country besides the United States.

Jon Heyman of MLB Networkreports that Lance McCullers is not likely to be available in the World Series if the Astros advance. He is expected to make a full recovery from his forearm injury, but it will not before the conclusion of the postseason.

Jon Heyman of MLB Network also reports that Nick Castellanos is expected to opt out of his current contract with the Reds of two years, $34,000,000 remaining. The Cincinnati Reds are interested in negotiating a new contract for Castellanos, who had a .939 OPS and an all-star selection last season.

Latest on MMO

Patrick Glynn discusses Carlos Carrasco’s elbow surgery.

Joe D. talks about Brett Baty‘s Arizona Fall League player of the week selection.

Nate Mendelson covers the latest on the search for our new president of baseball operations.

Nate Mendelson writes about the new MLB policy on minor league player housing.

On This Date in Mets History

1986: After losing the first two home games at Shea of the world series against the Red Sox, the Mets responded with a commanding 7-1 win at Fenway Park. Lenny Dykstra set the tone of the game early by hitting a lead-off home run in the first inning against Dennis “Oil Can” Boyd. Dykstra had three additional hits in the game, and Bob Ojeda pitched seven innings while allowing only one earned run to get the Mets back into the series.

Let’s go Mets!