Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports

Good morning, Mets fans!

The second game of the Mets’ four-game series against the Cardinals Tuesday was postponed due to rain. It’s being made up in a back-to-back doubleheader today starting at 5:15 p.m. ET. This will make it three games in 24 hours as Thursday’s game is due to start at 1:15 p.m. ET.

Marcus Stroman will start game one, and the team hasn’t announced who will start game two. It’ll most likely be Jordan Yamamoto (per Luis Rojas), given the righty was due to make an appearance in Tuesday’s game after getting called up in place of Jacob deGrom.

Speaking of which, let’s get into the rest of the briefing.

Latest Mets News

Jacob deGrom was scratched from his start Tuesday with a lat issue. The Mets are hopeful, though, that deGrom can make a start later this week after an MRI showed just inflammation in the lat muscle.

On the flip side, there were positive updates on Carlos Carrasco‘s (threw six innings) and Noah Syndergaard‘s (threw two innings) rehabs.

Check out how the starters of the minor league teams did in each of their Opening Day games tonight.

Three of the four affiliates won on Tuesday, with Binghamton taking the only loss.

Despite the shakeup to some of the coaching staff late Monday night, Jon Heyman says Luis Rojas isn’t on the hot seat whatsoever.

Joel Sherman reports that Jeremy Barnes and Dick Scott will take on bigger roles within the organization after the major-league hitting coach shuffle, which saw farm director Kevin Howard promoted to the major-league team.

Speaking of Kevin Howard, read Justin Toscano’s profile of the new assistant hitting coach from spring training.

Former Met skipper Bobby Valentine says something “special” is being announced Friday on his Twitter. Based on his cap in the picture below, could he be getting back into coaching, even if on a momentary basis? He’s currently the athletic director at Sacred Heart University in Connecticut.

Citi Field will host the Governor’s Ball–the biggest music festival announced in New York City post-pandemic–in September. The festival, which was held on Randall’s Island in previous years, will take place September 24 to 26 while the Mets are obviously on a road trip. They are scheduled for a home series with the Marlins starting September 28.

Latest MLB News

If you were wondering how Yankees fans would react to their first home game against the Astros since the revelations of the cheating scandal, have no fear, Lindsey Adler is here:

https://twitter.com/lindseyadler/status/1389719224353005570?s=20

Amir Garrett was suspended seven games by Major League Baseball for his part in the benches clearing during Monday’s game versus the Cubs. Garrett hit Anthony Rizzo with a pitch, pounded his chest (he says to let Rizzo know “I’m back” after feeling good stuff-wise throughout the inning after struggles to start the year), then got into a shouting match with Javy Baez, who was fined for his part.

It’s an odd and pretty harsh length when Jose Alvarado got three games (ultimately reduced to two) for essentially doing the same thing, albeit without a hit batsman. Garrett is appealing the suspension.

ESPN‘s Jesse Rogers reported the Cubs placed Jake Arrieta, Nico Hoerner and Dan Winkler on the injured list on Tuesday.

Former Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar, who Noah Syndergaard threw high-and-in to during the World Series, signed a minor-league deal with his old team.

The Brewers signed Wade LeBlanc, Logan Forsythe and Christian Kelley to minor-league deals, the team announced.

This isn’t news, but folks, take a look at Alex Verdugo‘s glove:

Latest on MMO

With the minor-league season starting last night, Mike Mayer details where the Mets’ top 30 prospects are starting the year.

Pat Ragazzo writes about how the Mets hope instituting a new hitting “process” can help Francisco Lindor and other struggling Mets at the plate.

MMO writers did a roundtable about whether firing Chili Davis was the right move.

John Jackson analyzes Joey Lucchesi‘s poor start Monday contrasted by a couple wonderful bullpen performances.

John Flanigan crowns Trevor May and Michael Conforto as the Mets’ players of the week.

Beyond the Blog

Empire State of Mind: The Empire State of Mind Podcast is excited to bring to you an uncut conversation with author of So Many Ways to Lose: The Amazin’ True Story of the New York Mets- The Worst Team in Sports.” Gordon has also contributed work for The New York Times Magazine, ESPN The Magazine, GQ, The Atlantic, & The Guardian.

The conversation has been split into three parts, which will be aired over the next couple of days. Part one, which was released today, details the Mets first off-season under Steve Cohen, the Donnie Stevenson phenomenon, Edwin Diaz and the history of Mets closers, Michael Conforto’s future as Captain and in Queens, and the problem that is the Mets defense. Stay tuned throughout the week for more from this exciting exclusive interview!

Locked On Mets: On today’s episode, host Ryan Finkelstein discusses the latest news on the Mets coaching change and how the decision has come together over the last week. Also listen to clips of Pete Alonso’s press conference on Tuesday, as Ryan reacts to the star first baseman’s comments.

Finally, a detailed look into how the Mets pitching will stack up for the rest of the week with New York set to play another double-header and the latest injury news with Jacob deGrom and Carlos Carrasco’s potential return.

On This Date in Mets History

On May 5, 2004, Mike Piazza launched a Jerome Williams slider over the right field Shea Stadium wall for his 352nd career home run as a catcher. That made him the leading home run hitter among catchers in the history of Major League Baseball, passing Carlton Fisk in the process.

The Hall of Famer still holds the record among catchers with 399 homers. (He had another 28 playing first base and designated hitter.) Yadier Molina is the closest active catcher to Piazza’s record with 165 career home runs. Brian McCann was the closest active catcher with career 282 home runs at catcher, but he retired after the 2019 season. Some other active catchers career totals include Yasmani Grandal (151), Buster Posey (146, though he’s not a full-time catcher anymore), Wilson Ramos (134) and J.T. Realmuto (98).

This is a long way of saying, I don’t think anyone is touching Piazza’s record any time soon, or maybe ever.

Also, Juan Acevedo, who put up a 3.57 ERA in 47.1 innings for the Mets in 1997, celebrates his 51st birthday today.

Let’s go Mets!