Morning Briefing: Mets Go For Series Sweep Over Robust Padres

Good morning, Mets fans!

The Mets and Padres conclude their three-game series in New York this afternoon at 1:10 p.m. ET. It will be Chris Paddack (2-5, 4.27 ERA) for the Padres against Joey Lucchesi (1-4, 5.79 ERA) for the Mets as the Mets look to sweep the three-game series and give James McCann a very happy birthday present!

Following this weekend’s series the Mets will remain at home and welcome the Chicago Cubs to Citi Field for a 4-game series starting tomorrow at 7:10 p.m. before heading to Washington next weekend. 

Latest Mets News 

As reported by Mojo Hill of Metsmerized, Luis Rojas said on Saturday that Jacob deGrom said he was fine and that he wanted to go outside and play catch. The Mets did have him undergo an MRI Saturday morning as a precaution and the images came back clear. DeGrom left Friday night’s game against San Diego early with “right flexor tendinitis,” but said he was fine on Saturday. Justin Toscano of The Record/North Jersey stated that deGrom did play catch and that it went well. The Mets are taking it day to day with deGrom.

David Lennon of Newsday Sports reported on Saturday afternoon that the New York Mets had scratched Billy McKinney from Saturday’s lineup against the Padres with a sore right knee. He was replaced in the lineup by Mason Williams. Anthony DiComo of MLB.com noted that Kevin Pillar also slid over to right field in the roster change.

Latest MLB News

Per Eric Stephen of SB Nation, Los Angeles Dodgers’ first baseman Cody Bellinger was limping during and after an at-bat in the sixth inning on Friday night and left the game with the score 11-0. Bellinger was not initially scheduled to start on Friday.

According to Lindsey Adler of The Athletic, the New York Yankees have activated Zach Britton off of the IL. To make room on the roster, Brooks Kriske was optioned to Triple-A Scranton and infielder Mike Ford was designated for assignment.

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced on Saturday that right-handed pitcher Mitch Keller was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis and right-handed pitcher Trevor Cahhill was placed on the 10-day injured list. They also recalled right-handed pitchers Geoff Hartlieb and Wil Crowe from Triple-A Indianapolis.

The Minnesota Twins announced on Saturday that former pitcher Jim “Mudcat” Grant passed away on Saturday at the age of 85.

Chad Finn of Boston.com reported that broadcaster Jerry Remy left Friday night’s broadcast early due to shortness of breath. According to NESN on Saturday, he is feeling a bit better and resting comfortably at Mass General in Boston.

Andrew Marchand of the New York Post reported on Saturday that for the first time since before COVID-19 shut down the travel of broadcasters, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network is on the road with the Yankees in Philly.

Connor Foley of the Times-Tribune Scranton said that on the YES pregame show on Saturday, Meredith Marakovits announced that Luke Voit is slated to start a rehab assignment on Sunday. Location TBD.

A video by Major League Baseball shows Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hitting his 20th home run of the 2021 season at Fenway Park in Boston. He is the first player to reach 20 in the league this season.

According to Lindsey Adler of The Athletic, Luis Severino, who was pitching in a rehab assignment with the Hudson Valley Renegades was being helped off the field in Coney Island after he apparently took an awkward step on the mound. He appeared to be in a good amount of pain with an apparent leg/ankle/lower body issue.

Latest Mets Minor League News

Per Alexis Farinacci of Metsmerized, St. Lucie Mets shortstop Shervyen Newton left Saturday night’s game against the Palm Beach Cardinals with what appeared to be a shoulder injury after a hard dive in the infield in an attempt to make a diving stop. He was holding his left shoulder & favoring it. He appeared to be in quite a bit of pain as he exited the field Saturday night at Clover Park.

Latest Minor League Baseball News

Per Gerard Gilberto of DK Pittsburgh Sports, Indianapolis Indians outfielder Jared Oliva has been reinstated from the injured list after being on the IL due to a left oblique/abdominal injury.

MiLB-Transactions have reported the following with the trade deadline and MLB draft soon approaching:

– Milwaukee Brewers have signed right-handed pitcher Brooks Hall to a minor league contract.

– The St. Louis Cardinals have signed left-handed pitcher Sean Kealey to a minor league contract.

– The San Francisco Giants have released infielder Ryan Howard.

Per Alex Freedman of the Oklahoma City Dodgers, the Los Angeles Dodgers have signed veteran left-handed pitcher Vidal Nuno. He will join Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Mets Minor League Scores from Saturday, June 12, 2021

Binghamton Rumble Ponies 7 Bowie Baysox 8

St. Lucie Mets 6 Palm Beach Cardinals 8

Brooklyn Cyclones 4 Hudson Valley Renegades 5

Syracuse Mets 2 Worcester Red Sox 11

Latest on MMO

Cam Adams recaps the Mets’ minor league affiliate games from Friday, June 11, which included an impressive start by Tylor Megill in his second Triple-A start and a two-home run game for Brandon McIlwain in Port St. Lucie.

Mathew Brownstein talks to former utility infielder T.J. Rivera in an MMO Exclusive interview.

Dan Quinones recaps Jacob deGrom’s outing on Friday night against the Padres.

Thomas Hall talks about Robert Gsellman enjoying solid under-the-radar performances.

James Villani talks about Edwin Diaz cementing himself as an elite-level closer.

Elliot Teichman had the MMO Game Thread for the Mets’ Saturday evening matchup against the Padres at Citi Field.

Patrick Glynn discusses Billy McKinney being scratched from Saturday’s Mets’ lineup.

Anthony E. Parelli recaps the Mets’ 4-1 win over the Padres in game 2 of the series at Citi Field.

On This Date in Mets History

1965: Ron Swoboda breaks the franchise record for home runs hit by a rookie with a three-run home run against the Cubs at Shea Stadium. He hit 19 home runs on the season.

1969: The New York Mets traded left-handed pitcher Al Jackson to the Cincinnati Reds.

1976: The Mets swept a doubleheader against the Giants to mark the first time the Mets had won two games on the same day. 

2012: R.A. Dickey threw a one-hitter in the Mets’ 9-1 defeat of the Rays.

Birthdays: James McCann (31)

Let’s go Mets!