Morning Briefing: Starling Marte 'Looks Really Good'

Good morning, Mets fans!

Outfielder Starling Marte participated in batting practice on Monday and “looks really good,” according to manager Buck Showalter. He’s now in Port St. Lucie where he’ll potentially participate in simulation games.

Rob Schumacher-Arizona Republic

After winning the opening contest of a three-game set against the Miami Marlins on Monday, the Mets fell 4-3 on Tuesday via a Jake Burger walk-off single. Check out the recap here.

Latest Mets News

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies, the Mets Double-A affiliate, defeated the Somerset Patriots 9-2 in the opening game of the Northeast Division Series. Jett Williams, the Mets’ No. 3 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, hit a home run in the game. The organization’s top prospect, Luisangel Acuña, left the game after being hit in the face by a pitch. The Rumble Ponies can clinch the best-of-three series with a victory on Thursday night in Somerset.

Jett Williams – who is 19 years old – just launched his first career Double-A home run in Game 1 of Binghamton’s playoff series.

It was a three-run shot that extended the Rumble Ponies’ lead to 6-1. #Mets pic.twitter.com/FPmJUBuYPB

— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) September 19, 2023

In a move that will alter New York sports radio permanently, ESPN New York is ditching its 98.7 FM signal, as first reported by Andrew Marchand of the New York Post. All of ESPN New York’s top programming will continue to be broadcast digitally or on the 1050 AM signal owned by ESPN New York. ESPN New York’s lease expires on August 31, 2024.

In his “2023 season awards, with a twist,” ESPN’s Jeff Passan highlighted the well-documented underwhelming campaign the Mets have had. The Mets, along with the crosstown rival Yankees and the San Diego Padres, were awarded the platinum toilet for most money flushed away.

Latest MLB News

Angels two-way superstar and the Mets’ presumptive free agent priority this offseason, Shohei Ohtani, had elbow surgery on Tuesday, according to a public statement from his agent Nez Balelo. The surgery was performed in Los Angeles by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who operated on New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ Achilles last week. ElAttrache said Ohtani should be able to return to the plate by opening day next season and return to his multifaceted self by the beginning of the 2025 season.

On Tuesday, Mariners ace Luis Castillo became the eighth pitcher in Mariners history to record at least 200 strikeouts in a season.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported new White Sox general manager Chris Fetz has “quietly made a slew of shrewd hires.” He has poached Josh Barfield from the Arizona Diamondbacks, Brian Bannister from the San Francisco Giants and Gene Watson from the Kansas City Royals.

Twins third baseman Royce Lewis left a 7-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds with hamstring tightness on Tuesday. The top selection in the 2017 draft had been above .300 with 15 home runs in 58 games this season.