Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports

Good morning, Mets fans!

The New York Mets took on the Atlanta Braves down in Georgia away from the smoke that filled the New York air on Tuesday, where they dropped the series opener, 6-4. In the third inning, Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso hit back-to-back two-run homers to put the Mets up, 4-1, after Ozzie Albies put the Braves in front with a solo homer of his own in the first inning.

Carlos Carrasco started for the Mets and made his third start since coming off the IL. Carrasco looked to continue his comeback after making two great starts prior to Tuesday. Carrasco held the Braves in check for the first five innings after allowing the solo shot from Albies, but his sixth inning got the best of him. The Braves batted around Carrasco and took the lead once Drew Smith came in for relief. Orlando Arcia hit the go-ahead infield single and the Braves ultimately win the game, 6-4. It was their fourth consecutive loss, putting them below .500 once again at 30-31.

Latest Mets News

The Mets are bringing back Italian Heritage Day, according to the Italian American Baseball Foundation on Twitter. The Mets will celebrate the day during their game against the Cincinnati Reds on Sept. 17.

Right-hander Stephen Ridings made his Mets organization debut with one rehab inning for the St. Lucie Mets, according to Michael Mayer of MMO. Ridings allowed one run on two hits. Mets took the reliever off waivers from the Yankees in November. He’s been dealing with a right lat strain going back to spring training.

Latest MLB News

Texas Rangers ace Jacob deGrom will miss the rest of the season and most or all of the 2024 season, as he will undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. The surgery will repair a torn UCL ligament in deGrom’s elbow.

The former New York Met was moved from the 15-day Injured List (IL) to the 60-day IL on Monday.

DeGrom will be out at least for 12 months after the surgery, which will be performed by Dr. Keith Meister. Rangers general manager Chris Young said an MRI revealed damage that was significant. DeGrom addressed the media on Tuesday where his emotions showed.

The news of deGrom’s surgery hits a tender chord for Mets fans, who many have witnessed the greatness of his pitching and more have missed him on the mound with his many injury stints with the Mets. Players from around the league and fans on social media sent their sincerest well wishes to the two-time Cy Young winner.

New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge will go on the IL with a big toe contusion and sprain, as confirmed by manager Aaron Boone during the postgame press conference. This will be Judge’s second stint on the IL this season.

Speaking of the Yankees, check out this view of Yankee Stadium when all the wildfire smoke drifted to the tristate area:

The Phillies agreed to sell 16% of the team, and it now makes John Middleton’s family the largest stakeholders in the club, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic. The Phillies’ search for a new partner began last summer. It led them to Stanley Middleman, who tried to buy a stake in the Guardians and then the Nationals. Middleton wanted someone who went along with the club’s spending.

The Toronto Blue Jays made six roster moves, including sending Alek Manoah down to the Florida Complex League. Manoah’s demotion will send him to a league lower than Single-A and will have him essentially restart everything. Among the other roster moves, Chris Bassitt will be reinstated from the Paternity List.

The Cincinnati Reds have called up top prospect Elly De La Cruz to the majors. In their 9-8 walk-off win against the Los Angeles Dodgers, De La Cruz scored a run and went 1-for-3 at the plate with a 112-mph double and two walks. De La Cruz was the starting third baseman in the game.

Chris Dahl, who joined the MLBPA 26 years ago this month, is stepping back as the union’s communications director ahead of his planned retirement at the end of the year, according to Evan Drellich of The Athletic. Then, he’ll become a consultant to the Players Association. Silvia Alvarez, who joined Players’ Association in 2019, takes over as acting director.

Latest on MMO

previews the Mets’ series against the Atlanta Braves.

On This Date in Mets History

1968: Mets draft John Milner.

1977: Mets draft Wally Backman and Mookie Wilson.

1982: Mets draft Roger McDowell and Randy Myers.

2005: Mets draft Mike Pelfrey, Jon Niese, Bobby Parnell and Josh Thole.

2007: Mets draft Lucas Duda, Dillon Gee and Josh Edgin.

2010: Mets draft Matt Harvey seventh overall in the MLB Draft.

Birthdays: Esix Snead (47), Roberto Petagine (52)