Good morning, Mets fans!
Thursday afternoon wasn’t kind to the boys in Queens as the Mets blew a five-run lead and lost 7-6 to the Oakland Athletics, marking their fifth loss in six games. Jose Quintana gave up a grand slam, and despite two home runs from Mark Vientos, the bullpen couldn’t hold the lead. For more on this game, check out our recap.
Now onto the morning briefing!
Photo by KAILA JONES/TCPALM
Latest Mets News
The New York Mets will start their 2025 spring training Grapefruit League schedule on February 22 against the Houston Astros at Clover Park. They will also host the Boston Red Sox on March 13 and the New York Yankees on March 24 to wrap up their spring slate. The Mets will play 31 exhibition games, including 16 at home, facing the Astros and Washington Nationals seven times each, the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins six times, the Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays twice and the Yankees once.
The Mets have been without a general manager since Billy Eppler’s resignation last October, and they might continue without one. President David Stearns hasn’t decided whether to fill the position, echoing the industry’s view that the team isn’t in a hurry to appoint a new GM, as noted by Andy Martino of SNY.
Customers who spend $100 on New Era products at the MLB Flagship Store can meet Mets slugger Pete Alonso on August 16 at noon EST. For more details, shoppers can ask a store associate, and the offer is available while supplies last.
2024 first-round pick Carson Benge and sixth-round pick Corey Collins have joined the roster of Single-A St. Lucie, and both made their debuts for the team in Daytona on Thursday. Benge recorded his first hit at the level with a solid single to right field in his second at-bat. He finished the day by going 1-for-2 with three walks, a run scored and two stolen bases.
Latest MLB News
Jim Callis, Sam Dykstra and Jonathan Mayo of MLB Pipeline rank every team’s minor league system from 1-30.
Major League Baseball is considering a new rule requiring starting pitchers to pitch at least six innings, aiming to increase their time on the mound, reduce arm injuries and shift the game’s focus away from strikeouts, as reported by Jesse Rogers of ESPN.
As reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post, pitcher Matt Bowman has signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles. The deal includes an upward mobility clause effective August 22 and an opt-out option on August 28, with a $1 million MLB salary.
Major League Baseball announced Thursday that the Spring Breakout series will return to Arizona and Florida for four days from March 13-16, 2025, as part of the spring training schedule reveal. The Mets prospect team will face the Nationals prospects on Sunday, March 16.
Christian Yelich revealed on social media that he will have season-ending back surgery on Friday, concluding his bounce-back season. The 2018 NL MVP led the National League with a .315 batting average and a .406 on-base percentage before he was placed on the injured list in late July.
According to Rob Bradford of WEEI, the Red Sox are finalizing a minor league contract with pitcher Rich Hill. If he makes it to the majors by the end of the season, it will be his fourth stint with Boston.
Latest On MMO
David Melendi discusses the possible benefit of the six-inning minimum rule.
Michael Mayer reports on the Mets’ sweeping changes to their scouting departments.
On This Date In Mets History
2018: The Mets set a franchise record with 24 runs in their victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. Amed Rosario and Kevin Plawecki each had four hits, José Bautista drove in seven runs off the bench and Jerry Blevins notched both the first hit and RBI of his career.
Birthdays: Roger Cedeno (50), Rick Reed (60), Mike Jorgensen (76)
