Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Good morning, Mets fans!

Mark W. Sanchez of the New York Post released information on the split between Brett Baty and Eduardo Escobar at third base, noting that Baty has only started against right-handed pitchers and Escobar has only started against left-handed pitchers so far this season but the Mets are not calling it a platoon. When asked if the two players will strictly play against their specialties, Buck Showalter said it’s “Not strict. We’ll pick some spots there […] “For both of them really, [we] want to use both their skills. Make sure that I don’t close the door on anybody.”

The Mets lost Wednesday to the Washington Nationals, 4-1. MacKenzie Gore of the Nationals allowed one earned run in six innings and struck out ten Mets. Also, Kodai Senga got his first loss of the season (5 IP, 2 ER, 7 K). Dan Quiñones has a more complete recap of last night’s game.

The Mets will have a chance to avoid the sweep tonight at 7:10 p.m. Joey Lucchesi (1-0, 0.00 ERA) will make his second start of the year.

Now, it is time for the morning briefing.

Latest Mets News

Tim Healey of Newsday Sports reports that Rob Manfred supported the umpires involved in the Max Scherzer sticky substance ejection, saying, “I want to commend the umpires here. They made multiple attempts to deescalate this. I think they handled it really well.”

Jonathan Mayo, Jim Callis, and Sam Dykstra of MLB.com listed Ronny Mauricio as the Mets’s top hitting prospect at the moment.

Latest MLB News

Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY reports that Robbie Ray has been declared out for the season with flexor tendon surgery.

The St. Louis Cardinals report that outfielder Jordan Walker has been optioned to Triple-A Memphis. Infielder Taylor Motter cleared waivers and has been signed to a major league free agent contract.

Latest on MMO

Ross Bentley previews pitching matchups for the upcoming series against the Atlanta Braves.

Ross Bentley also wrote about the lack of power from Mets hitters besides Pete Alonso.

On This Date in Mets History

1983: Nolan Ryan broke the all-time strikeout record as a Houston Astro. He still holds the record with 5,714 strikeouts.

Birthdays: J.D. Davis (30), Orber Moreno (46), Frank Catalanotto (49), Eric Hillman (57), Bob MacDonald (58), Brian Giles (63)