Good Morning Mets Fans. The day has come for Zack Wheeler to make his Grapefruit League debut as he will toe the rubber for the Metropolitans at 1:05 PM ET in Champion Stadium. He will be opposed by Lucas Sims and the Atlanta Braves. The game unfortunately will not be broadcasted.
Matt Harvey will make his second start of the spring today vs the Houston Astros at First Data Field.
Pitching coach, Dan Warthen spoke of Wheeler’s first game action on Thursday. “He looks healthy, and you hope he continues to throw the way he’s been throwing,” Warthen said. “But a game is much different. We’ll see whether he tries to take it to another level and jack it up. It’s kind of like with Harvey, I don’t know what to expect.”
LATEST METS NEWS
The Mets are keen on getting Travis d’Arnaud and Noah Syndergaard more comfortable with each other in 2017. Travis caught Thor in a game on Wednesday for the first time since last June. “It wasn’t a big deal,” d’Arnaud said. “Even when I wasn’t catching him last year, when he was pitching I would be paying attention. Sometimes I would go up in the video room and watch the video feed from behind the plate, so I could keep up with what he was doing.” Read more from columnist Kristie Ackert in the NYDN.
Jacob deGrom was deGrominant yet again on Thursday, pitching four scoreless innings while allowing just two hits and striking out four. He spoke of his spring tune-up after the game, “I was really pleased with being able to locate all four pitches today,” he said. “My last one, I threw a couple changeups in the dirt and I don’t think I threw one for a strike. I think today, I was able to throw that changeup where I wanted, pretty much when I wanted to.” Read more from columnist Abbey Mastracco at NJ.com.
Jay Bruce has been off to a hot start this spring, giving hope to many that he may coming back to All-Star form as he he readies himself for the 2017 season. Hitting coach, Kevin Long spoke on Bruce’s productive results thus far in spring. “He’s just relaxed,” Long said. “He knows he’s good. … He looked back on his [2016] season, and it was the first time he looked back and said, ‘I sucked in August, but you know what? The rest of my months were pretty consistent.’ He understands he’s a good player and been an All-Star.” Read more from columnist Dan Martin in the NY Post.
NL EAST RUMBLINGS
Ryan Zimmerman has been off to a cold start for the Washington Nationals this spring, going 0-for-10 with a walk in his first five games. He though is not concerned with the slow start, “It’s just getting used to just going through your routine every day without feeling like crap, like you got run over,” Zimmerman said. “So that’s kind of where I’m at right now. Going 0 for 10, it doesn’t matter. It’s not fun on March 9 or July 9, but I think the most important thing this early in the spring is just to make sure you set a good base.” Read more from columnist Jorg Castillo in the Washington Post.
Former All-Star pitcher, Roy Halladay has returned to the Philadelphia Phillies as a guest instructor this spring. Halladay spoke of his interest to get back into the major leagues in some aspect, “I definitely want to get back in,” Halladay said. “So just getting here and being around, obviously with a new front office they need to see who you are. I think it’s just a great opportunity to get out here again and be around the guys. Especially with so many new, young players, it’s exciting for a guy like myself to come in and watch them. If I can share anything that’ll help them, that’s awesome.” Read more from Rob Maaddi in the Denver Post.
RECENTLY ON MMO
Mets Daddy highlights Steven Matz‘s use of a new pick-off move this spring.
John Flanigan recaps Sandy Alderson’s conversation with MLB.com on his 2017 team.
Over at MetsMinors.net, Michael Mayer advises that the Mets have signed pitcher, Donovan Hand to a minor league deal.
TODAY IN METS HISTORY
On this day in 1962, the Mets held their first on-field competition of any kind as they fell to the St. Louis Cardinals by a score of 8-0.
New York Mets players born on this day include, John Cangelosi (54), Mike Birkbeck (56) and Ken MacKenzie (83).
