Good morning, Mets fans!
Bad news leads off on the eve of Grapefruit League Opening Day. Kodai Senga is hurt.
“Very honorable to be a part of this rotation and that’s what I strive for,” Senga told reporters through a Japanese interpreter in Port St. Lucie. “And I guess it is regretful that I’m not able to be a part of it in the beginning of the season. But I think I just have to be positive and look forward to being back out there with the team.”
Senga has a moderate right posterior capsule strain in his right shoulder, president David Stearns told reporters. He has been shut down and is expected to start the season on the injured list. There is no timetable for his return. Opening Day is March 28.
The right-hander said he had similar pain previously in Japan, according to Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News. He said he could still pitch and throw hard, but not at a high level, so he told the training staff. Senga emphasized that he didn’t feel pain, but felt something concerning.
It is now a three-year run of bad spring injury luck for Mets starters. A year ago ace Justin Verlander was sidelined to start the season and in 2022 Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer weren’t ready for Opening Day.
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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Stearns said the injury to the club’s ace doesn’t increase the chances they will go after a free agent pitcher. Jordan Montgomery and Blake Snell remain available. There were no immediate reports of the Mets jumping into trade discussions, but pitchers Dylan Cease and Jesús Luzardo have been in rumors all winter.
Tylor Megill, Joey Lucchesi, José Butto and Max Kranick would be expected to compete for the open spot in the rotation. Megill gets the start tomorrow against the Cardinals in Port St. Lucie at 1:10 p.m. ET on SNY. Stearns said he wants prospects Mike Vasil, Christian Scott and Dominic Hamel to get more experience in the minors.
The Mets signed Diosmerky Taveras, 24, to a minor league deal, per MMO’s Mike Mayer. He had a 4.66 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 58 innings for the A+/AA teams in the Astros organization last year.
Infielder Ronny Mauricio, who will miss the season after suffering a torn ACL during Dominican Winter League action, talked to MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo.
“I wouldn’t necessarily call it a frustration for me,” he said through a Spanish interpreter. “I think this is one of those learning lessons that I can take advantage of. Something where I can continue to progress. I wouldn’t say it was technically a good thing that happened, but it’s definitely something where I can sit down and kind of reflect and just to continue to grow as a player. I can just continue to watch more and more. I think a lot of good came out of it because it just gave me some time to work on my physical and do a lot of good things and continue learning around the game.”
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New MLB uniforms, which have been poorly received by some players for a variety of reasons, may also have a new problem: see-through pants. “Universal concern is the pant,” MLB Players Association executive director Tony Clark told Jesse Rogers of ESPN. The uniforms are designed by Nike and produced by Fanatics.
The Dodgers scored eight runs in the first inning and beat the Padres 14-1 in the Cactus League opener in Peoria, Ariz.
Per Jason Mackey of Post-Gazette Sports, the Pirates and starter Mitch Keller agreed on a five-year, $77 million contract extension. The righty struck out 210 in 194 1/3 innings last year while posting a 4.21 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 3.80 FIP.
The Tigers and 32-year-old infielder Gio Urshela agreed to a one-year deal for $1.5 million, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.
Retired Marlins first baseman Justin Bour, 35, announced on X that he will be joining the Brewers as an assistant in player development.
The Red Sox resigned pitcher Joely Rodríguez on a minor league deal, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com.
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Michael Mayer followed the Kodai Senga developments.
Elliot Teichman previewed non-roster invitee Austin Allen.
It was suggested, however unlikely, that the Mets explore a trade for a starter.
On This Date in Mets History
2013: Top prospect Zack Wheeler strikes out two in his Grapefruit League debut. He would make his first regular season start for the Mets on June 18.
2019: Pete Alonso homers on the first day of spring training. Mets also announce that Jed Lowrie may not be ready for Opening Day. Alonso would lead the league with 53 homers that season in winning Rookie of the Year. Lowrie finished the year with no hits and one walk in eight plate appearances.
Birthdays: Bobby Bonilla (61) Ken Boswell (78) Ron Hunt (83)
