Morning Briefing: José Quintana to Return After All-Star Break

Good morning, Mets fans!

José Quintana, who is recoving from rib surgery, is scheduled to stretch out to 75-80 pitches during his next minor league rehab start Friday for Triple-A Syracuse, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. He’ll also throw a simulated game after that before returning after the break.

Latest Mets News

Max Scherzer led the charge for an impressive Mets win over the Diamondbacks on the Fourth of July. While Scherzer threw an average game for him this season, giving up four runs, three home runs and striking out nine batters, the Mets launched three homers of their own off the bats of Starling Marte, Brandon Nimmo and Francisco Álvarez. Álvarez broke the Mets rookie record for most home runs by a rookie catcher with a mammoth 467-foot two-run blast.

Alvarez continues with the fireworks display on the Fourth! 🎆 pic.twitter.com/VL1pY6aV46

— New York Mets (@Mets) July 4, 2023

The Mets made things interesting in the bottom of the ninth when the bases were loaded, up 8-4. After walking the fifth Diamondbacks run in, closer David Robertson shut the door and the Mets won their third game in a row, 8-5. This is the first time in over a month that the Mets won three straight games, the first time since sweeping in Philadelphia Phillies back in the end of May.

Before the game, the Mets activated reliever Trevor Gott and DJ Stewart. They’ve optioned Jeff Brigham and Danny Mendick to Triple-A, and made room for Stewart by designating Denyi Reyes for assignment. Stewart has 16 home runs and an .878 OPS in Syracuse this year and drove in a run on Tuesday with a sacrifice fly.

Latest MLB News

The Los Angeles Angels announced that Mike Trout is going on the injured list with a left hamate fracture. Jo Adell has been called up for the Angels’ game against the San Diego Padres. During that same game, the Angels lost Anthony Rendon after fouling a ball off his shin and Shohei Ohtani left the game early after giving up back-to-back home runs. That’s a massive blow for the Angels, who are already dealing with many injuries.

The Padres made the following roster moves: They recalled José Castillo, Matt Waldron and Matthew Batten from El Paso. The Padres also optioned Domingo Tapia to El Paso, placed Michael Wacha on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation and designated Nelson Cruz for assignment.

MLB announced the following players will be making the AL and NL All-Star teams following injuries to players. Wander Franco will replace Aaron Judge, Kyle Tucker will replace Trout, David Bednar will replace Clayton Kershaw, Julio Rodriguez will replace Yordan Alvarez and George Kirby will replace Shane McClanahan.

Dustin May will undergo right elbow surgery to repair the flexor tendon on July 18 in Los Angeles, according to the Dodgers. Dr. Neal ElAttrache will perform the procedure and May will miss the remainder of the season.

The Dodgers have acquired utility infielder Pat Valaika from Seattle, according to Oklahoma City Dodgers Communications Director Alex Freedman. Valaika had been with Triple-A Tacoma. He spent parts of six six seasons in the majors with the Colorado Rockies and Baltimore Orioles.

Adam Wainwright is going on the injured list with shoulder concern, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.