Good Morning Mets Fans. The New York Metropolitans will send Steven Matz to the mound for his Grapefruit League debut today as he will be opposed by Edinson Volquez and the Miami Marlins. The game is scheduled for a 1:05 pm E.T. start and can be heard on 710 WOR.
LATEST METS NEWS
Matt Harvey made his anticipated return to the mound on Sunday with mixed results. He allowed four hits and four runs, three of which came from a Jose Martinez homer in 1.2 innings pitched. Harvey spoke of the process of getting his arm back to game ready shape after Sunday’s 14-11 loss to the Cardinals in which his velocity stayed in the 93 MPH zone, “Coming back from Tommy John was a little different story,” Harvey said. “I was pumped up for that one. The biggest thing for me is just going out there more and more and getting used to facing other teams. The velo will come.” Read more from columnist Anthony DiComo at Mets.com.
Zack Wheeler threw his last session of live batting practice on Sunday as he readies himself for his spring debut this coming Friday. The Mets pitcher spoke of his anticipation as he looks forward to getting back on the mound in a game situation, “I’m kind of nervous,” Wheeler said. “[Of being] in the stretch, guy on first base, balking. You feel like you haven’t played the game in 10 years. It’s just another step forward, I’m feeling better every time I go out there.” Read more from columnist Dan Martin in the NY Post.
Yoenis Cespedes was taken out of Sunday’s game in the fifth inning after experiencing some tightness in his hip and quad muscles. Manager, Terry Collins advised that this was nothing but a cautionary move. “I took Ces out. He thought his quad, hip was starting to tighten up a little bit, I am sure due to the wind,” Collins said. “We did baserunning stuff this morning, might have tightened up. So I got him out of there. Doctors looked at him and said he’s just fine.” Read more from columnist Kristie Ackert in the NYDN.
NL EAST RUMBLINGS
Washington Nationals shortstop, Trea Turner is ready to produce at his first full season at shortstop, a position that is nothing new to the 23-year-old player. “I think when I came over here I tried doing a little too much,” Turner said. “It’s just confidence. It’s just being smooth. It’s feeling good. Making the right choices. And then when you get traded, if you do something right or wrong those coaches don’t know you. … They don’t know this or that then you start trying to make adjustments and do different things. I think everyone can always improve, but listening to a ton of people all the time is not necessarily a good thing.” Read more from columnist Jorge Castill in the Washington Post.
Clay Buchholz finds himself in a different role with his new team in Philadelphia as he takes on a leadership stance in the young clubhouse of the Phillies. “It comes with the territory,” Buchholz said. “If you’re lucky enough to be around the big leagues for an extended period of time you know what you have to do. I’m looking forward to it. It’s fun to be around them, fun to be around a new group of guys. I think this team is headed in the right direction.” Read more from columnist Jim Salisbury on CSNPhilly.com.
RECENTLY ON MMO
Joe D examines Jacob deGrom‘s spring debut from over the weekend.
Connor O’Brien takes a look at the Mets’ interest in Brett Lawrie.
Over at MetsMinors.net, Mets Daddy writes on about Luis Guillorme‘s play this spring.
TODAY IN METS HISTORY
In the year 1964, the Mets held their first foreign game as they fell by a score of 6-4 to the Mexico City Red Devils.
Former New York Mets coach, Cookie Rojas, turns 78 today.
