Morning Briefing: Mets Hope To Dodge The Rain On DeGrom Day

Photo: USA Today

Good morning, Mets fans! Happy Jacob deGrom day!

DeGrom is set to take the mound for the final contest of a four-game set with the Philadelphia Phillies as the Mets look to complete a four-game sweep of their division rivals.

However, Thursday’s forecast could get in the way of this as we are expected t0 see heavy and consistent rain all afternoon. According to manager Luis Rojas, they will monitor the weather situation and make a decision to get deGrom ready, or go with another option in order to preserve their ace.

Now, let’s take a look at what else went on around the diamond on Wednesday!

Latest Mets News

Rojas says J.D. Davis (hand contusion) took batting practice this week and they expect to activate him from the injured list this weekend when he is eligible to return.

As for Dellin Betances (shoulder impingement), he is not expected to travel with the team to Colorado or Chicago and there is no timetable for then he will start throwing, per Rojas.

DeGrom told ESPN‘s Jeff Passan in a recent phone interview that he believes he can pitch and compete at a high level in his 40’s.

The ever-so infamous Bernie Madoff, who is responsible for the largest Ponzi scheme in white collar crime history died in prison on Wednesday at the age of 82. Madoff was serving a 150-year sentence and is known in Mets land as the villain, who swindled a substantial amount of invested money out of the pocket of former team majority owner Fred Wilson, which left the club crippled financially and in major debt in the aftermath.

Latest MLB News

White Sox pitcher Carlos Rodon lost out on a perfect-game in the ninth inning of his start last night, but was still able to preserve a no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians.

Rodon’s no-no comes just six days after Joe Musgrove tossed the first no-hitter in franchise history for the San Diego Padres on April 7. And according to Jayson Stark of The Athletic, the last time we saw two no-hitters this close apart was between May 3 and 7 of 2011 when Francisco Liriano and Justin Verlander did it.

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Corbin Burnes became the first pitcher since 1906 to record 30 strikeouts and not issue a walk in his first three starts of the season.

St. Louis Cardinals future Hall of Fame catcher Yadier Molina became the first catcher in baseball history to play 2,000 games behind the backstop for the same team.

The Minnesota Twins have placed Andrelton Simmons on the Covid IL.

The Houston Astros placed Yordan Alvarez, Alex Bregman, Jose Altuve, Martin Maldonado and Robel Garcia on the injured list for health and safety protocol reasons. Houston has called up Garrett Stubbs, Alex De Goti, Ronnie Dawson, Taylor Jones and Abraham Toro from their alternate site.

Eno Sarris of The Athletic takes another look at MLB’s supposed deadened baseball, which now has more drag and bounce to it.

Latest NL East News

The Phillies have placed centerfielder Adam Haseley on the restricted list due to personal reasons and have recalled Mickey Moniak to replace him in the interim.

Latest on MMO

David Peterson‘s poise and maturity have impressed the Mets so far in his young career, writes John Flanigan.

Joe D says patience is a virtue when it comes to centerfielder Brandon Nimmo.

MMO Digital

On today’s episode of Locked On Mets, host Ryan Finkelstein breaks down last night’s win and wonders if the Mets have finally turned a corner, after taking three games in a row against the Phillies.