Photo credit: Ed of MMO

Good morning and happy Fourth of July, Mets fans!

Jacob deGrom made his first rehab start down in Port St. Lucie Sunday, and he looked like the Jacob deGrom everyone’s used to watching. The two-time Cy Young award winner struck five of the six batters he faced, eclipsing 100 miles per hour on seven of the 24 pitches he threw. After the game, deGrom said his shoulder feels 100%, but he’s stressing the importance of not rushing his way back to the majors.

Latest Mets News

The Mets took the rubber match of their series with the Rangers, 4-1. Carlos Carrasco struck out eight in 5 2/3 innings, and Starling Marte and Eduardo Escobar both homered. With the Braves getting walked off, the Mets’ division lead is back up to 3 1/2 games. The Mets now head to Cincinnati to take on the Reds for three games, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 pm. Taijuan Walker (6-2, 2.72 ERA) will look to keep rolling against young fireballer Hunter Greene (3-9, 5.72 ERA).

The Mets’ top prospect Francisco Álvarez is set to join Triple-A Syracuse today. The 20-year-old catcher has followed up his big 2021 season by hitting .277/.368/.553 with 18 homers, 16 doubles, and 47 RBIs in 296 plate appearances for Double-A Binghamton.

The Mets officially placed southpaw David Peterson on the paternity list. They recalled right-hander Colin Holderman to take the roster spot.

Latest MLB News

Braves outfielder Adam Duvall‘s MRI came back negative for a fracture in his left hand. Duvall left Atlanta’s game in Cincinnati early on Saturday after he was drilled by a pitch.

Mariners manager Scott Servais said Ty France won’t come off the IL when he’s eligible tomorrow. France still hasn’t taken the field since his injury. Servais says there’s a chance France could return next weekend, though that would depend on his recovery.

The Dodgers agreed to a two-year contract extension with catcher Austin Barnes. While Barnes is only hitting .188 this year, he boasts an impressive 15.5-percent walk rate and has thrown out 31 percent of attempted base stealers.

Giants pitcher Anthony DeSclafani told reporters that he will undergo surgery on his right ankle next week, ending his season. The surgery has an expected recovery time of four-to-five months.

A’s starter Frankie Montas departed the team’s game in Seattle after just one inning due to shoulder tightness. The hard-throwing righty maxed out at just 94.5 MPH, which is a significant decrease from his normal velocity. Montas is one of the most highly coveted trade chips in the league this year.

The Braves traded former first-round pick, Toukie Toussaint, to the Angels in exchange for cash considerations. Atlanta had designated Toussaint for assignment on Saturday.

Latest on MMO

Andrew Steele-Davis examines the impact Starling Marte has had on the Mets’ offense in recent games.

James Villani recaps the Mets’ win in the series finale with the Rangers. He also writes about Jacob deGrom’s rehab start.

Daniel M. breaks down how the Mets’ minor-league affiliates performed on Saturday.

On This Date in Mets History

1967: The Mets finally defeat Juan Marichal in their 8-7 victory over the Giants. Marichal had won 19 consecutive decisions against the Mets dating back to 1962.

1972: In the first game of a doubleheader against the Padres, Tom Seaver carries a no-hitter into the ninth inning before Leron Lee breaks it up with a single. Seaver strikes out 11 as the Mets win, 2-0.

1985: In a wild game that featured two rain delays in Atlanta, the Mets escape with a 16-13 win in 19 innings over the Braves. The Mets took a 10-8 lead in the 13th, but the Braves responded to tie the game up, and the Mets score again in the 18th before Braves reliever Rick Camp hits a solo homer to tie the game again. The Mets put the game away with a five-run 19th inning, and the game ends at 3:55 am with Camp striking out. Keith Hernandez hits for the cycle for the Mets.

2021: Trailing 5-4 in the first game of the doubleheader at Yankee Stadium, Pete Alonso‘s game-tying homer off Aroldis Chapman kickstarts a six-run seventh inning, leading the Mets to a 10-5 win. Jose Peraza chips a two-run double, and Brandon Nimmo brings in two of his own with a single.

Birthdays: José Oquendo (59), Jared Hughes (37)

Let’s go Mets!