Morning Briefing: J.D. Martinez Makes Mets Organizational Debut

Good morning, Mets fans!

On Friday, J.D. Martinez made his Mets organizational debut by serving as the designated hitter and batting second for the Single-A St. Lucie Mets. Martinez went hitless in four at-bats, grounding out three times and recording a lineout. He also drew a walk. Going hitless in five at-bats for a Low-A club might draw some overreactions from fans, but Martinez is already a proven major league hitter who will benefit the Mets lineup greatly.

Martinez is expected to join the Mets soon, with the series in Atlanta beginning Monday being a possibility.

J.D. Martinez, Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

Latest Mets News

The Mets (2-5) defeated the Reds (4-3) 3-2 on Friday for their second win in a row. Jose Quintana allowed just one run in 5 2/3 innings, while Jeff McNeil got on the board with a solo home run. Additionally, Edwin Díaz locked down his first save since his return despite recording an error and allowing an unearned run to score.

The Mets officially announced that they signed Julio Teheran to a one-year deal. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Mets designated Michael Tonkin for assignment.

Brandon Nimmo was left out of the Mets’ lineup on Friday night due to a tight right hamstring. He is considered day-to-day as it appears his injury is nothing to worry about.

Mike Mayer of Metsmerized Online reported that Anthony Baptist, a Mets minor leaguer, was suspended for lying about his age.

Former Met Pat Zachry passed away on Friday. Zachry was most known as a return piece from the Reds in the Tom Seaver “Midnight Massacre” trade, but he was an All-Star in his first full season with New York and had a career 3.63 ERA with the Mets in five-and-a-half seasons with the team.

Latest MLB News

Per Mark Bowman of MLB.com, Spencer Strider‘s elbow was bothering him after his start Friday against the Diamondbacks. He will get an MRI to determine the severity. Strider allowed five runs in four innings to Arizona.

The Yankees placed reliever Jonathan Loáisiga on the 60-day injured list with a right flexor strain. In a corresponding move, they signed former Met Dennis Santana to a major league contract. In 9 games for the Mets last year, he had a 5.91 ERA.

The Yankees also signed Rougned Odor to a minor league contract, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post. The contract includes an opt-out after July 1. Odor spent 2023 with the Padres where he had a .654 OPS in 59 games.

Per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com, the Blue Jays selected Paolo Espino to the major league roster. In a corresponding move, the team designated Wes Parsons for assignment.

The White Sox placed outfielder Eloy Jiménez on the injured list. They also purchased the contract of Robbie Grossman and desginated Alex Speas for assignment.

Francisco Mejia signed a minor league deal with the Brewers, per Kiley McDaniel of ESPN. He will report to Triple-A. Mejia had a .658 OPS in 50 games with the Rays in 2023.

Latest on MMO

Jack Markowski discusses Pete Alonso reaching the 500 RBI mark after his solo home run in Thursday’s win against the Tigers.

Mike Mayer recaps the Syracuse Mets’ come-from-behind victory on Thursday, in what was top pitching prospect Christian Scott‘s Triple-A debut.

Michael Famulari praises Jose Buttó and Reed Garrett for their pitching performances on Thursday.

Nick Rucco previews the season for the High-A Brooklyn Cyclones.

Jack Ramsey previews the season for the Low-A St. Lucie Mets.

Sean Kenny looks at where the Mets’ top 30 prospects will begin the season.