Ed Delany/MMO

Happy Saturday, Mets fans!

Luis Rojas said on Friday that right-handed flamethrower Noah Syndergaard, who has been on the IL recovering from TJS since March, reached 97 MPH in his bullpen session on Friday afternoon. Mets ace Jacob deGrom later noted that he’s excited knowing that Syndergaard will be back in the rotation at some point this upcoming season. 

The Mets took the loss to the Washington Nationals on Friday night, as they were outscored 7-3. David Peterson gave up two earned runs over six innings of work in his outing.

Catch the Mets this afternoon when they take on the Houston Astros at 1:05 p.m. on WPIX. Jacob Barnes will man the hill for New York.

Latest Mets News

There is still no movement on contract extension negotiations between the Mets and shortstop Francisco Lindor, according to Deesha Thosar of Newsday. Lindor has stated in the past that he will not negotiate into the regular season, which is just a mere four days away. 

Rustin Dodd of the The Athletic wrote a profile about Dominic Smith that came out on Thursday. 

J.D. Davis, who started deleting social media apps off of his phone prior to the start of the season a couple years ago, spoke to Justin Toscano of The Record about why he does so and his goals for the future. 

Sam Dykstra of MLB Pipeline released a ranking of MLB teams with the best 21-and-under prospect talent, on which the Mets placed 10th. 

Michael Avallone of MLB.com wrote about how, because of the cancelled 2020 minor league season, Pete Crow-Armstrong made his first at-bat as a professional surrounded by the likes of Mets stars in spring training. 

Mets’ owner Steve Cohen posted to Twitter to “crowdsource” the contract fans think Francisco Lindor will accept. 

Rob Friedman, otherwise known as Pitching Ninja, released an interview in which Mets pitcher Marcus Stroman, joined by Reds pitcher Amir Garrett, gave advice to LSU right-hander Jaden Hill.

The Mets home run over/unders, according to BetOnline.ag, have Pete Alonso leading the team at 42.5, followed by Francisco Lindor at 31.5. 

MetsMinors.net released an article written by Michael Mayer that discussed the Mets’ 2021 minor league coaching staff.

Latest MLB News

According to ESPN’s SportsCenter, MLBPA executive director Tony Clark will look forward to discussing moving the All-Star game out of Atlanta, Georgia, in response to the state’s decision to overhaul how its elections are run. 

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez will not start opening day for his team, as he is dealing with a “dead arm,” according to MLB Network insider Mark Feinsand. Nathan Eovaldi will start in his place. 

Minnesota Twins bench coach Mike Bell passed away on Friday from cancer at the age of 46. The team released a statement on Twitter after the tragic loss. 

The Chicago Cubs are working on an extension with first baseman Anthony Rizzo, according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman. 

Todd Frazier opted out of his deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday and is now a free agent, according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman. The right-handed infielder led the Pirates this spring with three home runs. 

The Milwaukee Brewers released right-handed pitchers Brad Boxberger and Jordan Zimmermann Friday, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. The team hopes to be able to resign both players to minor league deals. 

Ex-Met Joe Panik made the Blue Jays’ major league roster for opening day, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.  

The Cincinnati Reds released infielder Dee Strange-Gordon, according to C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic. The team also reassigned Jesse Biddle, Brandon Finnegan, and Rocky Gale. 

Relief pitcher Tony Watson opted out of his minor league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies, according to Jim Salisbury of NBCSPhilly.  

The Seattle Mariners reassigned both Jarred Kelenic and Julio Rodriguez to minor league camp on Friday, according to MLB Network insider Mark Feinsand. 

ESPN released their cover story, written by Jeff Passan, about 22-year-old Nationals star Juan Soto. 

David Waldstein of the New York Times wrote about high school baseball player Elie Kligman, an aspiring major leaguer who will not play on Friday’s or Saturday’s before sundown because of his strict observance of the Jewish sabbath. 

Latest on MMO

Ryan Finkelstein discussed projections for the Mets’ 40-man roster heading into the final week of spring camp. 

Thomas Hall analyzed Mets starter Joey Lucchesi, and what he needs to improve upon and take advantage of with his opportunity in New York.

Nihar Maskura took a dive into Mets catcher James McCann’s defensive improvements. 

On This Date in Mets History

On March 27, 1987, the New York Mets traded Ed Hearn, Rick Anderson, and Mauro Gozzo to the Royals in exchange for Chris Jelic and starting pitcher David Cone. Cone would spend five seasons in Queens, and had one of the best seasons a Mets’ starting pitcher has ever had during his 1988 campaign, in which he pitched to a 20-3 record and slotted a 2.22 ERA. 

Birthdays: Brandon Nimmo (28), Matt Harvey (32), Bill Sudakis (75)

Let’s go Mets!