Morning Briefing: Expanded MLB Playoffs, Universal DH Reportedly 'Dead Issues'

Good morning, Mets fans! On Wednesday, the Mets were outslugged by the St. Louis Cardinals in exhibition play falling by a score of 14-9 (full game recap).

Let’s take a look at what else went on with the Amazins’ and MLB yesterday!

Latest Mets News

David Peterson is set to make his first start of the spring against the Washington Nationals on ESPN this afternoon at 1:10 p.m. EST. Jeurys Familia, Dellin Betances, Trevor May, Robert Gsellman, Aaron Loup and Trevor Hildenberger are also slated to pitch in this matchup, tweet from Jacob Resnick of SNY.

Mets manager Luis Rojas sent his well-wishes to Yankees skipper Aaron Boone, who underwent pacemaker surgery yesterday, story from Tim Healey of Newsday.

With the Triple-A season being delayed by a month, the alternate sites are returning and that includes the Mets’ site at Brooklyn, per Tim Britton of The Athletic.

Ken Davidoff of The New York Post believes the Mets’ bullpen is their weakest positional group on the roster.

Latest MLB News

According to Evan Drellich of The Athletic, Major League Baseball reportedly has no plans to further discuss the universal DH or expanded playoffs for the 2021 season.

The Chicago Cubs have signed infielder Eric Sogard to a minor league deal, per Jesse Rogers of ESPN.

Corey Kluber tossed two shut-out innings against the Toronto Blue Jays in his Yankees debut last night and catcher Gary Sanchez went deep for the second time this spring, video from MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch.

Latest NL East News

Washington Nationals pitcher Jon Lester underwent a procedure to remove a thyroid gland, per manager Davey Martinez, tweet from Maria Torres of The Athletic. Martinez expects Lester to be ready by Opening Day.

The Miami Marlins have signed pitcher Gio Gonzalez to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training, per Craig Mish of MLB Network.

Latest on MMO

Ryan Finkelstein highlighted the rough outings by Jerad Eickhoff and Jacob Barnes yesterday.

Trevor May made his first appearance as a co-host on former MLB Network host Chris Rose’s new show on Jomboy media “The Chris Rose Rotation,” and addressed Trevor Bauer‘s decision to dupe the Mets, story by Pat Ragazzo.

MMO Digital

On today’s episode of Locked On Mets, host Ryan Finkelstein breaks down the last few days of Grapefruit League action, which brought us the first telecast on SNY of this spring. He discusses Marcus Stroman’s first start, as well as the emergence of new faces in camp for the New York Mets like Jordan Yamamoto and Kevin Pillar.

Finally, Ryan gives his early prediction on what the Mets bench will look like come Opening Day and what positional battles could take place before then.