Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

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Buck Showalter announced that Max Scherzer will likely make his spring training debut on Sunday against the Nationals. The 38-year-old threw a live batting practice session yesterday afternoon. The Mets open their Grapefruit League slate on Saturday with a split-squad doubleheader against the Astros and Marlins, with Denyi Reyes and José Butto expected to start those games. David Peterson is expected to pitch on Monday followed by José Quintana on Tuesday.

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Steve Cohen confirmed that Sandy Alderson is no longer the team’s president. Alderson is still with the organization as an advisor, but Cohen will have a bigger role in the team’s day-to-day operations. Cohen said it’s possible the Mets go all season without a team president. Cohen also mentioned that this year’s camp has him feeling “the best vibe I’ve felt” since he’s bought the team.

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The Guardians were dealt a couple of tough blows on the injury front, the team announced. Top pitching prospect Daniel Espino has been shut down for at least eight weeks with a strain or tear in his shoulder. 2022 first-round draft pick Chase Delauter will miss four-to-five months with a fracture in his foot, which is the same injury that prevented him from making his pro debut last year.

Two-time All-Star second baseman Jason Kipnis announced his retirement from baseball on his Twitter account yesterday. A second-round pick out of Arizona State in 2009, Kipnis helped Cleveland reach the World Series in 2016 and hit four homers that postseason. He received MVP votes in 2013 and 2015 and finishes his career with 126 homers, 260 doubles, 136 steals, and 21.3 rWAR.

With Jacob deGrom already dealing with some side tightness, David J. Roth of Defector writes about why people shouldn’t be so worried about deGrom. While it’s easy to worry about the two-time Cy Young winner’s health, Roth notes that we’re still a ways away from meaningful baseball being played.

Zach Eflin spoke with Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times about how his traumatic experiences from his childhood have shaped who he is today. A native of Orlando, Eflin experienced the loss of his older sister to leukemia when she was just seven years old, and his parents divorced due to his mother’s battle with alcoholism.

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Elliot Teichman profiles non-roster invitee William Woods.

On This Date in Mets History

1974: The Mets make Tom Seaver the highest-paid player in major league history by giving him a one-year contract worth $172,500. Seaver won his second Cy Young award in 1973, turning in a 2.08 ERA and 0.976 WHIP with 251 strikeouts in 290 innings.