Morning Briefing: Scherzer's Status Uncertain Three Days From Opening Day

Good morning, Mets fans!

On Sunday, the Mets won a spring training game and made a trade. Today, we are just three days from opening day, and we are still waiting to hear whether or not Max Scherzer will be able to start game one.

Now let’s get into the morning briefing.

Latest Mets News

The Mets made a rare cross-town trade with the Yankees Sunday, acquiring left-hander Joely Rodríguez from the Bronx Bombers for hard-throwing 27-year-old. Miguel Castro. Rodríguez, 30, has spent time with the Phillies, Rangers, and most recently, the Yankees. Despite a career 4.61 ERA, Rodríguez has a 3.87 FIP in 95.2 career innings.

Furthermore, the Mets filled a need with this trade, getting a solid left-handed reliever to add to a mostly righty bullpen. Many projection systems are high on Rodríguez for the upcoming season, including ZIPS, which projects a 3.10 ERA for him. Castro had some good stretches with the Mets, and has great stuff, but control issues have hindered him recently (5.5 BB/9 in 2021).

The Mets beat the Marlins by a score of 8-4 on Sunday. Read about Eduardo Escobar’s home run, Chris Bassitt‘s start, and more of the action.

Despite the news of his latest injury, ace Jacob deGrom will still opt out of his contract at the end of the 2022 season.

Scherzer will throw a bullpen tomorrow. Regarding his status for opening day, skipper Buck Showalter said that the way the bullpen goes will tell the team a lot about Max’s availability going forward.

Left-handed prospect Thomas Szapucki will open the season for Triple-A Syracuse this week. Their season starts on Tuesday.

Latest MLB News

Sean Manaea was traded from the A’s to San Diego Sunday morning, as the Padres continue to stockpile starting pitching. The talented lefty joins a rotation of Blake Snell, Mike Clevinger, Joe Musgrove, and Yu Darvish.

The White Sox and Blue Jays swapped catchers Sunday, with Zack Collins being shipped to Toronto for Reese McGuire. McGuire is known for his defensive abilities, while Collins is more of a bat-first player.

Chicago White Sox ace Lance Lynn tore a tendon in his knee, and will be out for an extended period of time.

The Braves added veteran right-hander Darren O’Day to the big league roster yesterday, a move which came in wake of the news that Luke Jackson (now on the 60-day IL) had torn his right ulnar collateral ligament and will be out for an extended period of time.

In an interview with Evan Drellich of The Athletic, Carlos Beltran addressed the Astros’ infamous sign-stealing scandal.

Beltran also spoke with Michael Kay of YES about the issue, in an interview which will air today.

Outfielder Mitch Haniger and the Seattle Mariners have avoided arbitration, settling at a salary of $7.75 million for the upcoming salary.

Former Met Pete Crow-Armstrong talks being traded, his outlook for the season, and more in an interview with NBC Chicago.

Phillies prospect Mickey Moniak has made the team’s opening day roster.