Morning Briefing: Jason Vargas Returns To Try and Even Series

Good Morning Mets Fans!!

Jason Vargas(1-2, 5.92 ERA, 5.69 xFIP) will come off the IL today as he’ll take on Ryan Carpenter (0-2, 13.00 ERA, 5.60 xFIP). The game can be viewed on WPIX and WCBS 880 at 4:10 p.m.

Despite a 9-8 loss, the ReplaceMets played a significant role yet again. After the Mets fell in an early 4-0 hole, Adieny Hechavarría’s three-run homer gave the Mets a one-run cushion. The Mets and Tigers traded runs for the next two innings with the final run coming courtesy of Aaron Altherr. Altherr’s 420-foot bomb made him the 12th Met in franchise history to hit a homer in first at-bat for the team.

However, Drew Gagnon faltered for the first time this season, giving up three runs in the seventh inning. Although Wilson Ramos‘ third-home run of the season brought the Mets within a run, the Mets went down 1-2-3 in the ninth.

Latest Mets News

If it was 2013, the Mets would be the talk of baseball for signing Matt Kemp and Ervin Santana. Instead, it’s 2019 and Kemp and Santana are merely depth options at this point in their career. The Mets have announced that they have agreed to minor-league deals with the pair of veterans.

Santana, who was released by the White Sox in April, will report to Port St. Lucie. Meanwhile, Kemp, who was let go by the Reds while on the IL, will go to the Syracuse Mets roster.

The Mets optioned Ryan O’Rourke back down to Triple-A Syracuse to make room for Altherr on the roster.

Former Mets Joel Youngblood and Doug Flynn visited Citi Field yesterday.

Per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, Carlos Gomez has changed to his agency to the MVP Sports Group.

DiComo also tweets out that Michael Conforto could return from the 7-day concussion IL within the next few days.

Justin Toscano of YahooSports hears that Justin Wilson is making progress in his return from elbow soreness.

Even the St.Lucie Mets had a few All-Star worthy players, Nick Meyer was the only Met to be named to the Florida State League All-Star League.