Morning Briefing: Recharge Those Batteries

Photo by Ed Delaney, MMO

Good morning Mets fans!

The Mets have today off, but will play in two split-squad games Tuesday. The first squad will host the Astros at 1:10 p.m. at home, and the second team will travel to West Palm to take on the Nationals at 7:05 p.m.

Yesterday, Jacob deGrom made his spring debut for the Mets as they fell to the Houston Astros 5-2 at First Data Field.

The right-hander came out firing as he struck out the side in the top of the first. He mixed in a 95-97 mph fastball with a slider that sat around 90-92.

DeGrom was victimized by a walk and a pair of singles in the second. Though he retired the next three hitters on seven pitches as he allowed a pair of runs to score on sacrifice flies.

He threw 13 pitches in the third, recording two outs (one on a strikeout) before being pulled. Overall, it was definitely a good start for deGrom, who told the media he “doesn’t feel too far behind.”

Jason Vargas was stretched out as he pitched the next four innings. He allowed three walks and four hits, including a Garrett Stubbs solo home run. He also induced double plays in both the fifth and sixth, while striking out five batters in a strong 65-pitch effort.

Offensively, Yoenis Cespedes continues to rake out of the two-spot, homering off Lance McCullers in the first, for his third home run of the spring.

Kevin Plawecki went 2-for-3 on the afternoon, stroking two singles to left, one of which brought home a run in the sixth. He is now hitting .381 this spring.

Latest Mets News

According to Tim Healy of Newsday, Anthony Swarzak (left calf strain) threw in a simulated game yesterday. He felt great afterward, and is close to returning.

Mickey Callaway told the media that he is displeased with the teams fundamentals that he held a team meeting yesterday. “We have some work to do,” Callaway said.

Matt Ehalt of NJ.com says starting Tuesday, Michael Conforto will begin taking on a bigger workload. He will still be restricted, though everything is moving in the right direction.

Dominic Smith is still being considered day-to-day, but he is close to a return. Callaway said Tuesday seems like a realistic expectation for him.

After yesterday’s game, in which he homered, Yoenis Cespedes told the media “It doesn’t matter which spot in the lineup I am. I will do my best wherever. So far during spring training I haven’t noticed a difference.”

Latest MLB News

After the Lance Lynn signing, the Twins have unconditionally released RHP Anibal Sanchez, per Dustin Morse of the Twins Communications and Player Relations.

No meat, No dairy, no excuses. Jon Morosi of MLB Network has the story of Tigers pitcher Mike Fiers and his “vegan adventure,” in hope of better results.

Giancarlo Stanton discusses with Kevin Kernan of the NY Post what makes him great.