Good morning and happy Valentine’s Day, Mets fans!

Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes Jr. has withdrawn from the World Baseball Classic after he recently tweaked his hamstring. The 2022 All-Star was expected to lead Team USA’s rotation alongside Clayton Kershaw, Brady Singer, and Miles Mikolas. With Cortes out of the picture, Adam Wainwright and Kyle Freeland will be expected to play bigger roles as the Americans look to defend their title.

Latest Mets News

Keith Hernandez has agreed to a three-year contract to remain in the SNY booth. Mike Puma of the New York Post reports that Hernandez is expected to work 110 games in each of the next three seasons. Hernandez, Gary Cohen, and Ron Darling are entering their 18th year working together as the Mets’ TV broadcasting crew.

Brandon Nimmo spoke to reporters in Port St. Lucie on Monday, saying that he bought himself a new car after signing his eight-year contract in December. He also spoke on his decision to withdraw from the World Baseball Classic, saying he didn’t want to risk getting injured before the season started.

Chris Newell was named the 14th manager in Brooklyn Cyclones history, replacing Luis Rivera. Newell served as the team’s bench coach last year and has previous managerial experience in the United States Shore Baseball League.

Adam Ottavino shared his thoughts on the new pitch clock rules, saying that he thinks pitchers like upping their pace when they’re pitching well to keep hitters uncomfortable.

Latest MLB News

Major League Baseball’s Joint Competition Committee unanimously voted to keep the runner on second base rule in extra innings permanent for all regular-season games. The committee also voted that position players will only be allowed to pitch either in extra innings, when the leading team is up by at least 10 runs, or when the trailing team is down by at least eight runs.

Real estate magnate and Washington Nationals owner Ted Lerner passed away Sunday at the age of 97. Lerner took over the reins of the franchise in the summer of 2006, with his family owning 90 percent of the team’s shares. He saw the team win the NL East four times and the franchise’s first World Series in 2019.

The Tigers have agreed to a minor league contract with right-hander Matt Wisler, with an invite to spring training. Wisler was solid for the Rays in 2022, turning in a 2.25 ERA with 35 strikeouts against 14 walks in 44 innings.

Marlins Rule 5 pick Nic Enright announced on his Instagram that he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma back in December and has already completed his first round of treatment. An alum of Virginia Tech, Enright has spent the last four seasons in the Cleveland organization.

The Cardinals have extended president of baseball operations John Mozeliak’s contract through the 2025 season. By the end of this latest extension, Mozeliak will rank as one of the longest-tenured executives in the franchise’s 132-year history in the NL.

The Twins are showing interest in three-time All-Star and Minneapolis native Brad Hand, according to Darren Wolfson of SKOR North. The former Met appeared in 55 games for the Phillies in 2022, posting a solid 2.80 ERA with 38 strikeouts in 45 innings.

Latest on MMO

John Sheridan looks at what to expect from Mark Vientos, who checks in as the eighth-best prospect in the Mets organization in MMO’s rankings.

On This Date in Mets History

1985: The Mets agree to a one-year contract worth $1.32 million with Dwight Gooden, making him the youngest player ever to receive over a million dollars. Gooden won Rookie of the Year in 1984 and won the NL Cy Young award in a historic 1985 campaign.

Birthdays: Kelly Stinnett (53), Tyler Clippard (38)