Good Morning Mets Fans. The New York Mets travel to Lakeland to take on the Detroit Tigers today for a 1:05 PM ET start. Matt Harvey will toe the rubber for the Mets and will be opposed by Jordan Zimmerman of the Tigers. Today’s game can be heard on 710 WOR.
Harvey will look to continue to work on his mechanics as well as to see where his velocity may be in today’s start as he continues on the quest of getting back to the pitcher he once was. Josh Smoker is also slated to appear in today’s game as he battles for a spot in the team’s bullpen.
Yesterday, Jacob deGrom continued his preparation for the regular season with his longest outing of the spring. He pitched 5.1 innings while allowing four runs on seven hits as he struck out four and walked one in the team’s 7-5 loss to the Miami Marlins.
LATEST METS NEWS
Jay Bruce was originally in Saturday’s starting lineup but had to be removed due to a sore right hip after taking grounders at first base in pregame drills. Interestingly enough the Mets outfielder who is learning first base stated that his body is not used to taking grounders and the belief is that the soreness came from this practice. Read more from Mike Puma in the NY Post.
The New York Mets expect that their players who participated in the World Baseball Classic for Team Dominican Republic will be back in camp this Wednesday. Players returning to Port St. Lucie include, Jose Reyes, Jeurys Familia and Hansel Robles.
With the WBC nearing its end, the anticipation will grow to see just how long of a suspension Familia may receive prior to the start of the regular season in two weeks. Recent reports have suggested that the suspension may not be as long as previously believed. Either way, the team knows they will be without their closer for a period of time to start the 2017 season.
Fernando Salas officially joined the New York Mets in Port St. Lucie on Sunday after clearing up visa issues. Salas, who also pitched in the WBC for Team Mexico, only made two appearances and has advised that he needs to get in more games to properly prepare for the regular season now that he is in camp. Read more from Abbey Mastracco on NJ.com.
NL EAST RUMBLINGS
The Atlanta Braves announced their starting rotation to open the 2017 season and disappointingly it does not include Bartolo Colon to start opening day in Citi Field. Julio Teheran will get those honors. Big Sexy will pitch the second game of the season though in Queens in what is sure to be an emotional return.
Martin Prado of the Miami Marlins will officially miss opening day due to a hamstring strain. It is unknown at this time just how long Prado may miss after an MRI on Saturday showed him to have a Grade 1 strain to his right hamstring. Read more from Andre C. Hernandez in the Miami Herald.
RECENTLY ON MMO
Michael Mayer advises of the team’s who have checked in on Kelly Johnson recently.
Over at MetsMinors.net, Mets Daddy takes a look at two emerging prospects.
THIS DAY IN METS HISTORY
On this day in 1961, the New York Yankees announced an opposition of allowing the National League expansion team to share their stadium. The new club would have to play in the Polo Grounds due to their American League counterpart’s unwillingness of allowing them to play in the Bronx.
Mets players born on this day include, Manny Alexander (46), Blas Minor (51), Rick Parker (54), Steve Dillon (74) and George Altman (84).
