Good morning, Mets fans!

The Mets had three big leaguers rehabbing with Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday, and all three delivered excellent nights at the plate. Francisco Lindor went 3-for-5 with a pair of runs scored, Tyrone Taylor finished 3-for-5 with a double and a homer, and Ronny Mauricio drove in three runs while going 2-for-4.

Lindor came away from the game healthy and could be activated for the Mets’ doubleheader on Wednesday.

Latest Mets News

On the big league front, the Mets dropped their series opener against the Cubs, 9-6. Kodai Senga was once again inconsistent, looking terrific early before falling off as his start progressed. Offensively, Bo Bichette and Francisco Alvarez each homered, recorded multi-hit games, and drove in four of the Mets’ six runs.

Today, the Mets play a doubleheader. Nolan McLean (4-4, 3.67 ERA) and Sean Manaea (1-2, 4.64 ERA) are scheduled to start for New York, while the Cubs have yet to officially determine their starters. Shota Imanaga and Javier Assad are expected to start, though it remains unclear who will start which game. Game 1 will air at 1:10 p.m. ET on SNY, while Game 2 will air at 7:10 p.m. ET on WPIX.

The Wave’s Jorge Eckardt, who also writes for MMO, wrote about Mets Hall of Famer Edgardo Alfonzo returning to Brooklyn for a week to help fill in on the Cyclones’ coaching staff, rejoining the affiliate he managed to a New York-Penn League title in 2019.

David Stearns held a press conference Tuesday as the Mets returned home, addressing the state of the team amid its recent slide. Here were some of the key points, as noted by MMO‘s own Patrick Glynn:

The rotation is the biggest concern. Because of injuries and inconsistency, the Mets are evaluating starters turn by turn, with high walk rates and underperformance from talented arms among the main issues.

  • There is broader roster frustration. Steve Cohen expects the team to be better, and Stearns said the club’s inconsistencies have been widespread, shifting from the offense earlier in the year to the starting pitching more recently.
  • The Mets are keeping their trade deadline options open. Stearns said they can prepare for “parallel paths” and wait until closer to the August 3 deadline before deciding on a direction.
  • The team will re-evaluate how it assesses injury risk, though Stearns noted this year’s IL issues have not been limited to players with prior injury histories.
  • Jorge Polanco is expected back before the All-Star break, while Lindor is expected to play shortstop “more days than not,” after he returns.

Latest MLB News

Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reported that MLB has cleared Dodgers team doctor Dr. Neal ElAttrache of wrongdoing following its inquiry into his work. The league said it interviewed ElAttrache, and found no concerns regarding his treatment of MLB players.

Twins GM Jeremy Zoll said (via The Athletic‘s Dan Hayes) that Minnesota has no plans of trading Byron Buxton.

Kennedi Landry of MLB.com tweeted that Rangers pitcher Jack Leiter underwent arthroscopic surgery Tuesday morning to remove a loose body in his ankle region.

MLB Network will broadcast the American Association of Professional Baseball’s All-Star Game live for the first time on July 15 from Haymarket Park in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The Yankees placed catcher Ali Sánchez on the paternity list Tuesday and recalled J.C. Escarra from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre as the corresponding move.

Latest on MMO

Jorge Eckardt makes a case for calling up former top prospect Nate Lavender.

Robert Colonna takes a look at who the Mets have come away with in recent mock drafts.

Tyler Antonelle writes his weekly report on the Mets’ minor league affiliates.

On This Day In Mets History

1971: Tom Seaver hits a solo homer off of Bill Stoneman to break a 1-1 tie in the eighth. On the mound, Seaver goes the distance and allows one earned run for the win.

1975: Jerry Koosman wins his 100th game as a Met with a complete game win over the Cardinals.

2016: Jeurys Familia converts his 25th consecutive save to start the season, setting a team record.

On This Day In 1986 Mets

The Mets weren’t able to get themselves out of an early hole in a 6-2 loss to Montreal, as Bruce Berenyi was tagged for two first-inning runs and two more in the fifth before Rick Aguilera allowed a Mike Fitzgerald two-run homer in the eighth to break the game open. Darryl Strawberry homered in the fourth and the Mets drew six walks, but as a team they left nine men on base while managing only six hits.

Born On This Date: Mike Bruhert (1951), Cleon Jones (1942)