Good morning Mets fans! Yesterday the Mets dropped a pair of split-squad games in Grapefruit League play. Zack Wheeler made his debut at home, allowing one hit and two unearned runs in the 14-4 loss to the Tigers. Corey Oswalt pitched two perfect innings in a 4-3 loss to the Braves in Orlando.
Today the Mets take on the Miami Marlins at First Data Field in Port St. Lucie. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. EST, and the game will be televised on SNY. Left-handed pitcher Steven Matz is set to get the start against Miami.
Latest Mets News
The once-deep infield has been depleted as Jed Lowrie and Todd Frazier have been diagnosed with injuries this week. Lowrie, diagnosed with a left knee capsule sprain, is not participating in baseball activities, per Matt Ehalt of The Record.
Frazier has an oblique strain and will receive a cortisone injection in New York, per Steve Gelbs of SNY.
Despite injuries in the infield, Jeff McNeil will not take additional reps at third base, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. DiComo writes that the Mets want McNeil to be comfortable with his duties in the outfield.
Michael Mayer reports the Mets have signed former farmhand Natanael Ramos to a minor league deal. The 25-year-old catcher, younger brother to Mets catcher Wilson Ramos, spent seven years in the Mets farm system. He last appeared with a Mets affiliate in 2017.
Tim Healey of Newsday reports the former Mets catcher and Hall-of-Famer Mike Piazza was in Mets camp on Tuesday.
Marc Carig of the Athletic writes about Brodie Van Wagenen’s transition from agent to general manager.
Aaron Gleeman of Baseball Prospectus writes about 12 unproven hitters that can make an impact in 2019. Three Mets, Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil, and Amed Rosario, made the list of potential breakouts.
Latest MLB News
Keith Law of ESPN posts his top 30 prospects for the 2019 MLB draft.
Mark Saxon of the Athletic reports that Cardinals starting pitcher Carlos Martinez had his right arm in a sling on Tuesday. Derrick Goold of the St.Louis Post-Dispatch notes that Martinez had a PRP injection on Monday night and is two weeks away from throwing.
Rob Biertempfel of the Athletic writes that Pirates left-handed pitcher Francisco Liriano said he had an unusual free agency this offseason. Liriano said that all of his offers were minor league deals that came at the same time.
The Phillies and Yankees were rained out on Tuesday.
Dan Hayes and Eno Sarris of the Athletic write that the Twins are working with their catchers to get more called strikes.
Jared Diamond of The Wall Street Journal reports that the Cardinals called a press conference yesterday in Jupiter. At the press conference, the Cardinals announced that they had signed starting pitcher Miles Mikolas to a four-year, $68 million extension.
JJ Cooper of Baseball America writes that the agreement between the Atlantic League and Major League Baseball will allow for robot umpires and mound changes in the independent league. The three-year agreement will allow MLB to use the Atlantic League as a testing site for potential rule changes.
Latest on MMO
Rich Coutinho posts audio from Mike Piazza at Mets camp Tuesday. Piazza spoke to his retirement and the atmosphere in camp.
Tim Ryder conducts an exclusive interview with Eno Sarris of The Athletic.
John Sheridan writes a prospect spotlight about David Thompson, a former fourth-round pick who missed much of the 2018 season with injuries.
Ryder writes that the Mets should sign outfielder Michael Conforto to a contract extension this spring.
This Day in Mets History
Birthdays: Pete Smith is 53, Sammy Taylor is 86.
