Morning Briefing: Opening Day Just One Week Away

Good morning, Mets fans!

The Mets fell to the St. Louis Cardinals by a score of 3-0 on Wednesday and now have a rare day off before getting back in action against the Washington Nationals on Friday night.

And exactly a week from today, we will all be enjoying regular season baseball games again, on time, which should resemble some form of normalcy (hallelujah).

Let’s check out what went else went on in Amazin’ land and MLB yesterday!

Latest Mets News

The New York Mets optioned pitchers Jordan Yamamoto and Corey Oswalt to minor league camp, signaling that left-hander Joey Lucchessi has secured the team’s No. 5 spot in the rotation with Carlos Carrasco on the shelf with a hamstring strain.

The Mets also reassigned catcher Bruce Maxwell and infielder Brandon Drury, per club announcement.

Starting pitcher Taijuan Walker threw 80 pitches in five innings in the Mets’ B game on Wednesday while trying to work on his curveball. The plan is for him to start again on March 29, per Ryan Finkelstein of MMO.

While relief pitcher Dellin Betances‘ high-speed fastball seems to be a thing of the past, Mike Puma of The New York Post discusses how the right-hander is using his off-speed stuff to attack hitters.

MLB.com‘s Anthony DiComo tells us how Mets pitcher David Peterson has been able to overcome tragedy, adversity and heartbreak in his life.

Ken Davidoff of The New York Post believes Luis Rojas is destined to develop into a quality MLB manager with the Mets now that he is out from under the clutches of the micromanaging Wilpons.

Jacob deGrom comes in at No. 6 on ESPN‘s top 10 players list for the 2021 season.

Mets superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor and his radiant smile landed on the cover of Baseball America‘s 2021 MLB season preview.

Latest MLB News

The Houston Astros and pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. have agreed on a five-year, $85 million contract extension, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.

Boston Red Sox ace Chris Sale, who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, is progressing well and hopes to pitch at some point next season, per Christopher Smith of MassLive.com.

The New York Yankees received good news on left-handed reliever Justin Wilson whose MRI came back clean. He will receive an anti-inflammatory medication to treat his shoulder tightness and should resume a throwing program within a few days.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Los Angeles Angels have signed reliever AJ Ramos to a minor league deal.

St. Louis Cardinals centerfielder Harrison Bader will start the season on the injured list with an injured forearm, per Derrick S. Goold of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Pitcher Julio Teheran has made the Detroit Tigers opening day roster, per Evan Petzold of The Detroit Free Press.

According to Francys Romero, the Chicago White Sox are expected to sign Cuban outfielder Oscar Colas to a $2.7 million deal once the international free agent signing period begins in January 2022. As Romero also noted, several MLB teams were in on Colas including the Mets, Angels and Marlins.

The Yankees also optioned pitcher Kyle Barraclough, outfielder Sócrates Brito, outfielder Ryan LaMarre and pitcher Asher Wojciechowski to minor league camp, per club announcement.

Latest NL East News

According to Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports, Phillies catcher Jeff Mathis requested and was granted his release from the club, which means J.T. Realmuto (hip) should be ready for Opening Day.