The Mets placed RHP Drew Smith on the 15-day IL, retroactive to June 24, with a right elbow sprain before Wednesday’s game. Smith left Sunday’s game against the Cubs after coming in for Edwin Díaz ,who was ejected and suspended 10 games for having a foreign substance on his hand. Smith would go on to get two outs prior to leaving the game after being checked by the trainer and showing some discomfort in his throwing arm.

His IL designation came a couple of hours after Carlos Mendoza told the media that he would be getting an MRI after experiencing forearm tightness, per Tim Healey of Newsday. RHP Ty Adcock was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse to take his spot in the bullpen. 

Drew Smith, Photo by Ed Delany of Metmerized

The Mets finished off a sweep of the Subway Series on Wednesday night as the Amazin’ offense exploded yet again. Despite an hour and a half rain delay, the Mets added to their 4-0 lead and didn’t stop. They poured  on against the Yankees’ bullpen, leading to a 12-2 final score.

The Mets have off on Thursday before they host the Houston Astros for a weekend series. The Mets are expected to have José Quintana on the mound (3-5, 4.58 ERA) against Ronel Blanco (8-2, 2.34 ERA) of the Astros for the Friday matchup.

Latest Mets News

Mets catcher Joe Hudson cleared waivers, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. The club outrighted him back to Triple-A Syracuse.

Ryan Clifford was named the Mets’ hottest-hitting prospect by MLB.com. Despite having a .211 batting average in June, 11 of his 12 hits have been for extra bases and he boasts a 1.081 OPS this month.

José Iglesias has been pressured by J.D. Martinez and the Mets’ clubhouse to push up the official release of “OMG,” and it will now be available on Friday, per Steve Gelbs of SNY.

Brett Baty continues to tear up Triple-A, hitting two more home runs and raising his OPS to 1.188. He has now homered eight times in 65 at-bats since being sent down.

Jonah Tong threw a gem for High-A Brooklyn on Wednesday: 6 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 11 SO. He now has a 3.38 ERA on the season.

Luisangel Acuña had his 9th multi-hit game of his last 15 games. He has 26 hits, 12 RBIs and six stolen bases during that span for Triple-A Syracuse.

Latest MLB News

The Houston Astros signed former Mets catcher Omar Narváez to a minor league deal, per Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston. The Mets released Narváez on June 5.

Shohei Ohtani set a Dodgers franchise record by becoming the first player to record an RBI in 10 straight games.

The Astros lose yet another pitcher as J.P. France will be undergoing surgery on his shoulder and will miss the remainder of thr 2024, per his agent Nate Heisler of Klutch Sports. José Urquidy and Cristian Javier are also going to miss the rest of the season due to Tommy John surgery, Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers have missed the first half of the 2024 season, and Justin Verlander has also missed time this season.

MLB announced the participants in the 2024 All-Star Celebrity Softball game, including Pedro Martínez, Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers and former NFL star Terrell Owens. 

Alden Gonzalez of ESPN dives into Trajekt Arc, which is a machine that can replicate every pitch thrown in MLB, down to the mph and RPM. Hitters can use the machine during games and is the latest advancement for batters to use in attempt to keep up with continuous pitch development.

Justin Verlander, who is eligible to come off the IL on Monday, will not accompany the Astros to New York, according to Houston’s manager Joe Espada, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. He also noted that Verlander is getting better, but still has not played catch yet.

Michael Kay complained about SNY saying the Mets had the best booth in baseball.

Latest on MMO

Brett Baty keeps raking in Triple-A. 

Mark Vientos had his signature Subway Series moment on Tuesday.

Harrison Bader gets revenge against his old squad.

On This Date in Mets History

2008: Carlos Delgado sets a Mets franchise record by driving in nine runs in one game. Delgado hit a two-run double, three-run home run, and a grand slam in a Mets big win over the Yankees.

1962: The Mets sign a 17-year-old first baseman, Ed Kranepool. The original Met would go on to play 18 seasons with the club.

Birthdays: Abraham Almonte (35), Chris Woodward (48), Ricardo Jordan (54), Jeff Conine (58)

The post Morning Briefing: Mets Place Drew Smith On IL appeared first on Metsmerized.

Major League Baseball announced suspensions for Saturday’s brawl between the White Sox and Guardians. Tim Anderson was handed the lengthiest suspension, getting six games, while José Ramírez received three games. Both players are currently appealing. Managers Terry Francona and Pedro Grifol both served one-game suspensions on Monday, as did Guardians coach Mike Sarbaugh and reliever Emmanuel Clase. Gabriel Arias and Michael Kopech were both fined.

Latest Mets News

Pete Alonso hit a two-run homer and a three-run homer, and Kodai Senga held the Cubs to two runs in six innings as the Mets snapped their losing streak with an 11-2 win. Senga has now gone eight straight starts without allowing more than three earned runs. Alonso meanwhile is up to 33 homers and 82 RBIs on the season.

Carlos Carrasco (3-6, 6.00 ERA) will look to snap out of his recent slump against Jameson Taillon (6-6, 5.36 ERA) on Tuesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.

Prior to Monday’s game, the Mets sent the struggling Brett Baty down to Triple-A Syracuse and placed Starling Marte back on the injured list with a groin strain. Jonathan Araúz and Abraham Almonte have been called up to take those roster spots.

Latest MLB News

The Yankees made a flurry of roster moves on Monday, including activating Jonathan Loáisiga from the injured list and placing Carlos Rodón on the IL with a hamstring strain. Lefty Nick Ramirez was recalled from Triple-A and former top prospect Deivi Garcia was designated for assignment.

The Dodgers are reportedly close to signing top Korean prospect Hyun-suk Jang. The highly-touted pitching prospect recently announced that he will not enter the KBO Draft and will sign with an MLB club.

Former White Sox reliever Keynan Middleton spoke to ESPN about what he described as dysfunction within the team’s clubhouse. Middleton specifically pointed to pitchers napping during games and a general lack of rules and accountability.

The White Sox acquired former Met outfielder Tyler Naquin from the Brewers in exchange for cash. Naquin will be in the Triple-A Charlotte lineup today.

The Orioles suspended television play-by-play announcer Kevin Brown over comments he made while the team was playing in Tampa Bay at the end of July. Brown was commenting during the intro of the game that the Orioles had struggled in years past in Tampa. Many announcers and media members, including Gary Cohen, spoke out in support of Brown.

Gary Cohen isn't mad, he's disappointed at the Oriole over the Kevin Brown suspension.

Just kidding, he's pissed. pic.twitter.com/vDkd3uEB8J

— Willets Pen (@WilletsPen) August 8, 2023

The Brewers announced that CC Sabathia will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at American Family Field on August 25. The first 20,000 fans in attendance will receive a poster of CC’s famous flex in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Latest on MMO

Jack Markowski breaks down the strong weeks of José Quintana and Francisco Lindor, who are the MMO Players of the Week.

Andrew Steele-Davis looks at who’s hot and who’s not in the latest 3 Up, 3 Down.

On This Date in Mets History

1985: Keith Hernandez collects five of the Mets’ 20 hits as they rout the Expos, 14-7. Gary Carter, George Foster, and Darryl Strawberry all go deep in the victory.

2014: Bartolo Colon holds the Phillies to one run over eight innings to earn the 200th win of his career. The Phillies score three runs in the ninth inning, but Jenrry Mejia strands the tying run on third base.

Birthdays: John Hudek (57)

The post Morning Briefing: MLB Hands Down Suspensions for White Sox-Guardians Brawl appeared first on Metsmerized.

Buffalo Bisons (43-47) 13, Syracuse Mets (37-52) 4

BOX SCORE

• LF Danny Mendick 2-for-4, R, 2B, HR (9), 2 RBI (38), .772 OPS
• 2B Ronny Mauricio 0-for-4, BB, .848 OPS
• 3B Mark Vientos 0-for-3, BB, 1.010 OPS
• RF Abraham Almonte 1-for-4, R, HR (8), 2 RBI (15), 1.010 OPS

The Buffalo Bison’s top-of-the-lineup led an offensive barrage in a 13-4 win over the Syracuse Mets Tuesday night at NBT Bank Stadium. The Bisons recorded 18 hits, six walks, and seven extra-base hits in the rout.

The Mets were down 2-0 early, heading into the second inning. Luke Voit led off the frame with a single, and then outfielder Abraham Almonte blasted a game-tying two-run shot. The 34-year-old major league veteran has been on a tear in his last seven games for Syracuse. He is 10-for-29 (.345), has mashed seven homers, and has a robust 1.470 OPS.

“This man cannot be stopped!”
Abraham Almonte: 11 hits this season, 8 home runs 🤯
We’re tied up at 2 in the second pic.twitter.com/udz4DNxUbf

— Syracuse Mets (@SyracuseMets) July 18, 2023

Abranham Almonte. Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

In the fourth inning, Danny Mendick clubbed his ninth round-tripper of the year. The 29-year-old utility player is 16-for-40 (.400) in his last ten games with five doubles, three homers, and 10 RBIs.

Ronny Mauricio was 0-for-4 at the plate but drew a walk, his 18th on the season and first since June 24th. Entering the season, the 22-year-old switch hitter entering had a 5.7% walk rate and a 23.4% strikeout rate in his minor league career. Mauricio has reduced his strikeout rate to 16.8%, but he still needs to walk consistently, only 4.7% of the time so far this season.

• RHP Tylor Megill (L, 0-3) 2 IP, 8 H, 8 R, BB, 0 K, 9.68 ERA
• RHP Stephen Ridings 1 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 0 K, 7.36 ERA

Tylor Megill was hammered for eight runs in two innings. He allowed eight hits, one walk, and served up a pair of long balls. The towering 27-year-old righty continues to pitch miserably in Triple-A. He’s surrendered 14 runs on 20 hits over 13 innings, and his ERA has ballooned to 9.68 in four starts.

In relief, Stephen Ridings hurled a scoreless inning, permitting a hit and one walk. The 6-foot-8 righty was recently outrighted off the 40-man roster and has posted a 7.36 ERA, 1.77 WHIP, and a 7/6 K/BB ratio in eight appearances for Syracuse.

DOUBLE-A

Erie SeaWolves (47-36) 3, Binghamton Rumble Ponies (39-45) 0

BOX SCORE

• CF Rowdey Jordan 1-for-4, SB (19), .798 OPS
• 3B Jose Peroza 1-for-4, 2B, .861 OPS
• RF Agustin Ruiz 1-for-3, 2B, BB, .630 OPS

Erie SeaWolves pitcher Ty Madden (Tigers No. 5 prospect) and three relievers combined to blank the Binghamton Rumble Ponies 3-0 Tuesday night. The Ponies brought the tying run to the plate in the final frame, but could not mount the comeback as they only managed four hits and went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position in the contest.

23-year-old outfielder Agustin Ruiz recorded Binghamton’s first hit of the contest when he belted his ninth double of the year in the second inning. Ruiz added a two-out walk in the ninth. In 43 plate appearances in July, Ruiz has struggled to a .132/.186/.211 slash line and a .397 OPS.

In the fourth inning, Jose Peroza belted his team-leading 20th double of the year and is tied for fifth in the Eastern League. The 23-year-old infielder has posted a .861 OPS with ten dingers and 43 RBIs in 248 at-bats this season.

Centerfielder Rowdey Jordan struck a single in the sixth inning and swiped his 19th bag of the year. He is tied for ninth in the Eastern League in stolen bases. The 24-year switch hitter is hitting .325/.429/.475, a .904 OPS with one homer, six RBIs, and eight steals in July.

• RHP Christian Scott (L, 3-3) 7 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 8 K, 3.22 ERA
• LHP Matt Minnick 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, K, 2.45 ERA

Right-hander Christian Scott tossed seven outstanding innings of two-run ball in a tough-luck loss Tuesday night. The 24-year-old scattered six hits, walked none and fanned eight SeaWolves. Scott got a whopping 20 swinging strikes on 97 pitches in the outing. Across three levels, he owns a 4-4 record, a 3.05 ERA, and a 0.90 WHIP.

Lefty reliever Matt Minnick hurled a scoreless ninth inning and recorded a strikeout. The 27-year-old southpaw is 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and six strikeouts in seven appearances out of the pen for Binghamton.

HIGH-A

Brooklyn Cyclones (42-42) 7, Hudson Valley Renegades (48-37) 4

BOX SCORE

• C Kevin Parada 2-for-4, RBI (35), 2 2B, HBP, .828 OPS
• 1B Mateo Gil 2-for-4, 2 R, 2B, HR (8), 2 RBI (25), .718 OPS
• LF Rhylan Thomas 2-for-4, R, HR (1), 2 RBI (4), .719 OPS

Trailing 1-0 in the second inning, the Cyclones belted a pair of home runs to take a 4-1 lead Tuesday night. Mateo Gil clubbed the first long ball with a two-run jack over the left-center field wall for his eighth round-tripper of the year. The 22-year-old infielder added a fourth-inning double. Gil is hitting .250 with six extra-base hits, four RBIs, and a .913 OPS in July.

Outfielder Rhylan Thomas launched the second two-run dinger of the inning. Thomas is 8-for-32 (.250) with one homer and four RBIs since being called up to High-A Brooklyn.

Rhylan Thomas ate his Wheaties this morning 💪

It's our second home run of the inning, as we lead Hudson Valley, 4-1, in the 3rd.#AmazinStartsHere #LGM pic.twitter.com/bT2sQOz7s8

— Brooklyn Cyclones (@BKCyclones) July 18, 2023

21-year-old backstop Kevin Parada was the third Cyclone player to collect multiple hits in the game. Parada whacked a two-bagger in the second inning and roped an RBI double in the fourth inning to give Brooklyn a 7-1 lead. Parada is fifth in the Sally League with 19 doubles. In his last 34 games, he is hitting .304 with six doubles, three triples, seven homers and 20 RBIs.

Kevin Parada caps a three run 4th inning with a @TDBank_US double! ⚾️

It's the 2022 Mets first-rounder's 35th RBI of the season.#AmazinStartsHere #LGM pic.twitter.com/rzLtqiO2lq

— Brooklyn Cyclones (@BKCyclones) July 19, 2023

Mets catching prospect Kevin Parada went 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI on Tuesday night.

The 22-year-old has a 1.093 OPS over his last 22 games for High-A Brooklyn.

— Mike Mayer (@mikemayer22) July 19, 2023

• RHP Cameron Foster (W, 4-4) 7 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, 4.25 ERA
• LHP Eli Ankeney 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K, 1.72 ERA
• RHP Paul Gervase (S, 4) 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, K, 1.23 ERA

24-year-old righty Cameron Foster pitched solidly for Brooklyn Tuesday night against Hudson Valley and picked up his fourth win. Foster surrendered four runs (three earned) in seven innings while striking out seven. The right-hander retired the final 11 batters he faced after giving up three runs on three consecutive hits in the fourth inning. So far in July, Foster has registered a 2.04 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and a 22/3 K/BB ratio in 17 2/3 innings (3 starts).

Paul Gervase fired a scoreless ninth inning on Tuesday and notched his fourth save of the year. The towering 6-foot-10 right-hander need just 11 pitches to retire the side in order and preserve the 7-4 win for Brooklyn. The 23-year-old has recorded a 1.23 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP over 36 2/3 innings.

LOW-A

St. Lucie Mets (30-53), 7 West Palm Beach Cardinals (40-41) 7 : SUSPENDED BOTTOM 9

Tuesday night’s contest between the St. Lucie Mets and Palm Beach Cardinals was suspended due to inclement weather. The game will resume this afternoon, Wednesday, at 12:30 p.m. with the game knotted up at 7-7 in the bottom of the ninth with one out and the bases loaded.

FLORIDA COMPLEX LEAGUE

OFF DAY

DOMINICAN SUMMER LEAGUE

DSL Mets Blue (14-16) 8, DSL Rangers Blue (15-15) 7

BOX SCORE (12 INN)

• 2B Vladi Gomez 1-for-4, 2 R, 2B, 2 BB, .744 OPS
• C Daiverson Gutierrez 2-for-3, 2 R, RBI (10), 2 BB, .581 OPS
• RF Jostyn Almonte 1-for-5, R, 2B, 2 RBI (16), .952 OPS

Outfielder Jostyn Almonte led the way for the Mets Tuesday afternoon against DSL Rangers Blue. He plated the contest’s first run with an RBI double in the second inning and hit the game-winning RBI sacrifice fly in the 12th frame to give the Mets an 8-7 extra-inning win. The 20-year-old is hitting a terrific .329/.458/.494/ with three homers, 16 RBIs, and a .952 OPS in 107 plate appearances.

Daiverson Gutierrez poked an opposite-field RBI base knock in the fifth inning to extend the lead to 4-1. The 17-year-old catcher went 2-for-3 and drew a pair of walks in the game. Gutierrez has had a tough go of things to start his pro career. He has posted a subpar .175 average and a .581 OPS in 29 games.

• LHP Franklin Gomez 5 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 9 K, 4.15 ERA
• RHP Miguel Mejias (W, 2-0) 1 IP, H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 6.75 ERA

Lefty hurler Franklin Gomez racked up nine strikeouts in five innings Tuesday afternoon. The 18-year-old permitted three runs on four hits and a pair of walks in the outing. Gomez owns an impressive 2.84 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and a 22/3 K/BB ratio in three starts in July.

DSL Mets Orange (12-19) 8, DSL Rangers Red (15-16) 4

BOX SCORE

• CF Heriberto Rincon 3-for-4, BB, SB (11), .808 OPS
• C Julio Zayas 1-for-4, RBI (24), 2B, BB, .943 OPS
• DH Arnaldo Montano 1-for-1, 2 R, 2B, 4 RBI (9), 3 BB, .820 OPS

17-year-old backstop Julio Zayas smacked an RBI extra-base knock in the third inning to give the Mets an early 1-0 lead. Zayas is tied for fourth in the DSL with ten doubles. He is also 9-for-25 (.360) with three doubles, a triple, one homer, and five RBIs in his last six games. On the season, he is slashing .321/.368/.575 with five homers, 24 RBIs, and a .943 OPS.

Designated hitter Arnaldo Montano delivered a bases-loaded clearing double that extended the Mets’ lead to 7-3 in the seventh inning. The 17-year-old drew three walks and reached base safely in all four plate appearances. Montano has posted a .820 OPS with one homer and nine RBIs in 14 games.

Leadoff hitter Heirberto Rincon registered another three-hit performance and stole his eleventh bag of the year. The 17-year-old outfielder is on fire this month, slashing .390/.479/.561 with one homer, eight RBIs, seven stolen bases, and a fantastic 1.040 OPS in 11 games.

• RHP Jose Chirinos 4.2 IP, 6 H, R, BB, 7 K, 2.67 ERA
• RHP Patricio Trinidad (W, 1-2) 2 IP, 2 H, R, BB, 4 K, 5.40 ERA

18-year-old Jose Chirinos tossed 4 2/3 innings before being lifted from the contest. The right-hander allowed one run on six hits, issued one walk, and fanned seven Tuesday afternoon. Chirinos owns a 0-2 record in eight starts, a 2.67 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and a 38/9 K/BB ratio across 30 1/3 innings.

The post Mets Minors Recap: Almonte Continues Power Surge, Parada Records Multi-Hit Game appeared first on Metsmerized.

Ronny Mauricio. Photo by James Farrance

Triple-A

Syracuse Mets (36-51) 9, Rochester Red Wings (41-46) 8 (10 Innings)

BOX SCORE

• LF Ronny Mauricio: 2-for-5, R, HR (14), 4 RBIs (52), K (.865 OPS)
• RF Abraham Almonte: 2-for-4, 2 R, 2 HR (6), 2 RBIs (10), BB (.913 OPS)
• CF Rafael Ortega: 1-for-4, R, HR (3), RBI (10), BB, K (.925 OPS)
• DH Danny Mendick: 2-for-5, RBI (36), K (.748 OPS)
• SS Jonathan Araúz: 1-for-4, RBI (47), 2 K (.798 OPS)
• 3B Mark Vientos: 1-for-5, R, 2B, 4 K (1.031 OPS)

In a back-and-forth ball game, the Mets found a way to walk it off in extra innings thanks to a walk-off single by Mendick in the bottom of the tenth. It was Mauricio who helped get them to extra innings as his 100^th hit of the year was a game-tying single in the ninth.

Two innings later, the 22-year-old hit a two-run home run to tie the game at six at the time. It was his 14^th of the year and his second in as many games. He has driven in nine runs in the last five games he has appeared in going back to July 4.

Almonte had two home runs of his own, which is the second time he has had a multi-home run game this month.

• LHP Joey Lucchesi (3.99 ERA): 5 IP, 5 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 4 K (48 of 83 pitches for strikes)
• LHP Josh Walker (1.44 ERA): 2 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 K
• RHP Jimmy Yacabonis (2-0, 4.05): 1 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, K

The last three starts have not been the greatest for Lucchesi at Triple-A. The southpaw has allowed at least five earned runs in each of his last three starts (16 in 14 1/3 innings). In addition, he has walked three or more batters in four consecutive outings.

Yacabonis was able to throw a scoreless 10th inning thanks to a great throw by Ortega to double up the runner trying to go to third at the beginning of the inning.

Brandon Mcllewan. Photo via Brooklyn Cyclones

Double-A

Binghamton Rumble Ponies (39-43) 3, Somerset Patriots (48-33) 1

BOX SCORE

• CF Brandon McIlwain: 3-for-4, R, RBI (44) (.754 OPS)
• 3B Jose Peroza: 1-for-4, 2B, RBI (43), K (.863 OPS)
• C Matt O’Neill: 1-for-3, RBI (11), K (.631 OPS)
• 2B Rowdey Jordan: 1-for-2, 2 R, 2 BB, SB (.809 OPS)

McIlwain had the bulk of the hits for the Rumble Ponies in Saturday’s win. Not only did he have his third three-hit game of the year (first since June 2), but his RBI single in the first got the team on the board first. The 25-year-old has a multi-hit performance in four of the last five games.

As for Jordan, he picked up his 18^th stolen base of the year and he has swiped a bag in five of the last seven games.

• RHP Tyler Stuart (1.50 ERA): 6 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, BB, 5 K, HBP (61 of 93 pitches for strikes)
• LHP Daniel Juarez (1-2, 2.95): 1 2/3 IP. 0 ER, 1 H, 2 K
• RHP William Woods (1.93, 2^nd save): 1 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 3 K

Outside of allowing a solo home run to Jasson Dominguez in the fifth, you couldn’t ask for a better performance from Stuart in his Double-A debut. The 23-year-old got six groundball outs in the no decision and went at least six innings for the fifth-straight outing dating back to his time in Brooklyn.

Out of the final 10 outs that were recorded by Juarez and Woods, five of them came via the strikeout.

Kevin Parada. Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

High-A

Brooklyn Cyclones (41-41) 3, Greensboro Grasshoppers (39-41) 0

BOX SCORE

• C Kevin Parada: 2-for-4, 2 R, 2 HR (10, 2 RBI (34), K (.823 OPS)
• 3B William Lugo: 2-for-4, 2B, K (.678 OPS)
• LF Rhylan Thomas: 1-for-3, BB (.575 OPS)
• CF Alex Ramírez: 0-for-3, BB, K (.652 OPS)

The Cyclones had just five hits and were 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position in Saturday’s win. However, they only needed two big swings from Parada who hit solo home runs in the bottom of the first and in the fifth against two different pitchers.

The Mets’ top catching prospect has at least one hit in six of the last seven games and as the team tweeted out, his 76 total bases since May 28 are the second-most in the South Atlantic League.

• RHP Jordany Ventura (0.00): 2 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 3 BB, HBP (16 of 36 pitches for strikes)
• RHP Robert Colina (2-2, 3.58): 2 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, K
• RHP Dylan Hall (0.00, 1^st save): 1 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 2 BB, K

The Cyclones used seven pitchers on Saturday, but all of them combined to allow three hits. In Ventura’s High-A debut, he allowed four of the eight batters he faced to reach base without allowing a hit. He was able to get double plays in both of those innings to escape trouble.

Colina picked up the win in relief while Hall picked up the save in his Brooklyn debut (third affiliate he has played in this year).

Jett Williams. Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

Low-A

St. Lucie Mets (30-52) 11, Jupiter Hammerheads (42-41) 9

BOX SCORE

• SS Jett Williams: 2-for-2, 2 R, 3 BB, 2 SB (.790 OPS)
• RF Wilfredo Lara: 2-for-4, 3 RBIs (27), BB, K, SB (.789 OPS)
• 1B Yeral Martinez: 3-for-5, 3 R, 3B, HR (7), 3 RBIs (29) (.741 OPS)
• 2B Kevin Villavicencio: 2-for-4, 2 R, RBI (23), BB, 3 SB (.592 OPS)
• 3B Jacob Reimer: 1-for-4, 2 RBIs (31), BB, K (.787 OPS)
• LF Dyron Campos: 2-for-5, 3 R, HR (4), 2 RBIs (19), K (.613 OPS)

The Mets’ offense was all in full force with the power on the basepaths Saturday night. The team stole six bases in the win as Williams padded his total to 28 steals on the year (tied for fourth in the Florida State League). His 58 walks are the second-most in the FSL (six in the last four games).

Martinez started the scoring with a two-run home run in the bottom of the second and he later added an RBI triple in the sixth. The 20-year-old outfielder has had at least one hit in six straight games.

• RHP Candido Cuevas (5.03): 2 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 3 K (16 of 25 pitches for strikes)
• RHP Jawilme Ramirez (4-6, 4.59): 4 2/3 IP, 5 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 2 K (58 of 96 pitches for strikes)
• RHP Elliot Johnstone (4.76, 3^rd save): 2 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, K, HBP

After Cuevas made an abbreviated start, Ramirez entered the game, but Jupiter found a way to cut an 11-2 deficit down to 11-9 with seven runs in the top of the seventh.

Johnstone had to get the final seven outs, but he was able to keep the Hammerheads off the board. The 24-year-old right-hander has gone a combined 9 2/3 IP in three outings this month.

Florida Complex League

FCL Mets (16-9) 8, FCL Nationals (11-14) 3

BOX SCORE

• DH Joe Suozzi: 2-for-3, 2 R, 2B, BB, K, HBP (Rehab assignment)
• 3B Jose Peraza: 1-for-3, R, 2B, 2 RBI (3), BB, K, HBP(Rehab assignment)
• RF Yohairo Cuevas: 1-for-3, R, 3B, BB, 2 K (.968 OPS)
• SS Jesus Baez: 1-for-5, RBI (8), 2 K (.727 OPS)
• LF JT Schwartz: 2-for-3, RBI (2), BB (Rehab Assignment)

Like the St. Lucie Mets, the FCL complex offense wreaked havoc on the bases as they swiped five bags (two by Francis De Leon). The rehabbers played a key role as Suozzi had a mullti-hit game, Peraza had an RBI double in the bottom of the sixth, and Schwartz had two hits and an RBI single in the fifth.

On a non-rehab note, Baez extended his hit streak to seven games with an RBI single in the first.

• RHP Landon Marceaux (3.18): 3 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 4 H, 3 K, WP
• RHP Jonah Tong (15.00): 1 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, BB, 3 K
• RHP Cristofer Gomez (1-0, 2.16): 1 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, K

Marceaux made his second FCL start on Saturday (third since joining the Mets’ organization) with both of them coming against the same Nationals squad.

After his start ended, Tong (seventh-round pick in 2022) was able to have his best professional outing of his young career.

Dominican Summer League

 DSL Mets Orange (11-19) 8, DSL Rockies (15-13) 7

BOX SCORE

• SS Samuel Camacaro: 4-for-6, R, 2B, 2 RBIs (9) (.588 OPS)
• DH Jeffry Rosa: 3-for-4, R, HR (8), 4 RBIs (19), K (1.130 OPS)
• CF Heriberto Rincon: 3-for-5, 3 R, 2B, HR (1), RBI (11), BB, K (.774 OPS)
• 1B Yohenny Mata: 2-for-4, R, 2B, RBI (4), BB, K (.720 OPS)

The top of the order played a key role in the orange squad’s victory as they combined for 10 of the team’s 15 hits. Rincon led off the game with a solo home run.

In the top of the fourth, Rosa hit a three-run home run as part of a four-run fourth. He would later tack on a key insurance run with an infield single in the eighth. The 18-year-old is now second in the DSL in home runs and seventh in OPS.

As for Camacaro, the 19-year-old had a four-hit game for the first time in his career dating back to 2021. His RBI single in the fourth was the beginning of the big inning that the offense had.

• RHP Elwis Mijares (3.22): 4 IP. 0 ER, 1 H, BB, 4 K
• RHP Jhon Nunez (2–1, 5.03): 2 IP, 1 R, 2 H, BB, 3 WP
• LHP Rogert Cortez (71): 2 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 3 H, BB, 4 K, 2 HBP, WP, Balk
• RHP Yoralbert Cadiz (5.87, 1^st save): 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, K

The only hit that Mijares allowed came on a one-out double in the second. Saturday’s outing was the first start he has had this year and the longest he has gone in any outing.

 DSL Mets Blue (13-16) 2, DSL Pirates Black (11-17) 1

BOX SCORE

•  3B Daris Cordero: 1-for-3, 3B, RBI (15), K (.760 OPS)
• DH Branny De Oleo: 1-for-2, BB, K (.870 OPS)
• SS Keiver Garcia: 1-for-2, R, BB (.660 OPS)

The blue squad only had three hits against the Pirates, but they did just enough to secure the victory. Cordero had one of those hits with an RBI single in the third that put the team up 2-0. The 17-year-old has driven in 11 runs this month (15 total for the year).

• RHP Wellington Aracena (2-1, 1.84): 5 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, BB, 6 K, HBP
• RHP Ellian Nunez (4.67): 1 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, K
• RHP Miguel Mejias (3.00, 1^st save): 1 IP, 1 ER, 2 H

In the eight starts Aracena has made this year, the 18-year-old has yet to allow more than two earned runs in any outing. On Saturday, he went five innings for the third time this year (second this month). He has 17 strikeouts to three walks in three starts in July (12 innings pitched).

The post Mets Minors Recap: Parada, Mauricio, Williams Tally Huge Days appeared first on Metsmerized.

Mike Vasil. Photo by Rick Nelson

Futures Game

The only Met to appear in the SIRIUSXM Futures Game was right-handed pitcher Mike Vasil. Vasil only faced two batters in the bottom of the seventh inning surging the National League’s 5-0 win. While he walked Spencer Jones, he struck out Kyren Paris on three pitches.

Abraham Almonte. Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

Triple-A

Worcester Red Sox (45-40) 8, Syracuse Mets (35-49) 4

BOX SCORE

• LF Abraham Almonte: 2-for-4, 2 R, 2 HR (4), 4 RBIs (8) (.832 OPS)
• DH Mark Vientos: 1-for-3, R, 2B, BB (1.011 OPS)
• SS Jonathan Araúz: 1-for-4, R (.810 OPS)
• CF Rafael Ortega: 1-for-3, BB (.897 OPS)

All four runs that the Mets put up on Saturday came off the bat of Almonte. The left fielder hit a three-run home run in the top of the fourth and a solo home run in the ninth against Dinelson Lamet. Vientos had his third double in the last four games.

• LHP José Quintana (0-1, 9.00 ERA): 4 1/3 IP, 5 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 5 K (42 of 78 pitches for strikes)
• RHP John Curtiss (5.50): 1 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 1 H
• RHP Jeff Brigham (13.50): 1 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, BB
• RHP Dennis Santana (4.84): 1 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, BB, 2 K

As Quintana preps for his eventual Mets’ debut, he made his second rehab start at Triple-A. Four of the runs he allowed came in the fourth inning and none of those runs were scored via a home run. While he got more swings and misses in this start, the fastball velocity was down slightly from what it was a year ago.

Luis Moreno. Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

Double-A

Portland Sea Dogs (49-31) 4, Binghamton Rumble Ponies 2 (38-41)

BOX SCORE

• DH Matt O’Neill: 3-for-3, BB (.630 OPS)
• LF Brandon Mcllwain: 2-for-4, 2B, K (.737 OPS)
• SS Wyatt Young: 2-for-4, R (.618 OPS)
• 2B Rowdey Jordan: 1-for-3, RBI (39), K (.810 OPS)

The Rumble Ponies had 10 hits, but only one of those was for extra-bases and the team was 1-for-6 with men in scoring position. Jordan had a sacrifice fly in the fifth and extended his hit streak to five games. Both runs by the Rumble Ponies were scored via the sacrifice fly.

• RHP Luis Moreno (6-3, 4.38): 5 IP, 3 R (1 ER), 4 H, 3 BB, 8 K, WP, HBP (50 of 85 pitches for strikes)
• RHP Daison Acosta (8.62): 1 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 1 H, 3 BB, K, Balk
• RHP Matt Minnick (2.84): 1 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, BB

The Sea Dogs were able to steal five bases against Moreno as all three runs were scored against him in the bottom of the fifth. However, the 24-year-old has struck out seven or more batters in four of his last five starts. Moreno’s 76 strikeouts on the year are the second most on the Binghamton roster.

Omar De Los Santos. Photo by Ed Delany of MMO

High-A

Wilmington Blue Rocks (34-44) 4, Brooklyn Cyclones (38-41) 1

BOX SCORE

• DH Omar De Los Santos: 1-for-3, RBI (25), K (.547 OPS)
• CF Rhylan Thomas: 1-for-2, BB (.527 OPS)
• RF Stanley Consuegra: 1-for-3, BB, K (.755 OPS)
• LF Alex Ramírez: 0-for-4, R (.669 OPS)
• C Kevin Parada: 0-for-2, BB, K (.812 OPS)

The Cyclones only had three hits in Saturday’s loss and they did not record a single extra-base hit. The lone run driven in came on a De Los Santos sacrifice fly in the top of the sixth inning.

• RHP Joander Suarez (3-6, 6.63): 7 IP, 4 R (2 ER), 3 H, 2 BB, 8 K, WP (66 od 95 pitches for strikes)
• RHP Joey Lancellotti (1.80): 1 IP, 0 ER, 0 H

The Blue Rocks did not manage an extra-base hit against the two Cyclones’ pitchers, but a throwing error allowed Wilimington to score their first run and a wild pitch by Suarez drove in a run in the seventh.

Despite this, the 23-year-old tied his season-high with eight strikeouts (done that four times this year). Three of those outings have come in his last five starts. It is the first time he has gone seven innings this year.

Jett Williams. Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

Low-A

Lakeland Flying Tigers (35-44) 9, St. Lucie Mets (27-51) 8

BOX SCORE

• SS Jett Williams: 1-for-4, R, 3B, 2 RBIs (30), BB, SB (.767 OPS)
• DH Jacob Reimer: 1-for-3, R, 2B, 2 RBIs (29), BB, K, HBP(.794 OPS)
• 1B Yeral Martinez: 1-for-4, R, HR (6), RBI (25), K (.648 OPS)
• LF Dyron Campos: 1-for-5, 2 RBIs (17), 3 K (.586 OPS)
• CF Jefrey De Los Santos: 2-for-4, 2 R, 2B, BB (;726 OPS)

The Low-A Mets had by far the best offense day of any affiliate on Saturday. Williams drove in one of his two runs on an RBI triple in the sixth and stole his 24th base of the year.

Further, Martinez hit a solo home run in the sixth, which was his first home run since June 7. As for Reimer, he has driven in multiple runs in four straight games (if you include his rehab assignments).

• LHP Felipe De La Cruz (5.04): 2 2/3 IP, 4 ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 7 K (43 of 69 pitches for strikes)
• RHP Elliot Johnstone (5.19): 4 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, BB, 6 K, HBP
• RHP Bailey Reid (0-1, 7.20): 1 ER, 0 H, 2 BB, 3 WP, HBP

As the starter on Saturday, De La Cruz struck out seven of the 14 batters he faced. It is the sixth time this season that he has struck out seven or more batters. All four runs against the left-hander came in the bottom of the third with three of them scoring on a bases clearing double. Johnstone had six strikeouts off the bullpen, which was his season-high.

Despite the good pitching performances, St. Lucie ended up losing the game due to Lakeland scoring three runs in the bottom of the ninth run. The tying run scored on a wild pitch on a walk and the winning run came around to score on a walk.

Dominican Summer League

DSL Miami (12-13) 5, DSL Mets (11-14) 1

BOX SCORE

• SS Branny De Oleo: 1-for-2, R, HR (2), RBI (12), BB (.939 OPS)
• LF Jonathan Perez: 1-for-2 (.590 OPS)
• CF Justin Ramirez: 0-for-3 (.761 OPS)

The Mets did not record a hit until the sixth inning when Perez led off the frame with a single. Two batters later, De Oleo hit a solo home run for his second of the season. He has also drawn at least one walk in four of his last five games.

• RHP Wellington Aracena (2.22): 2 IP. 0 ER, 0 H, 3 K
• LHP Brayhans Barreto (0-1, 4.50): 3 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 3 H, BB, 5 K, 2 WP
• LHP Rogert Cortez (8.25): 1 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, K. WP

Aracena retired all six batters he faced in his short outing (shortest he has gone in any appearance this year). Nevertheless, he has not allowed more than two runs in any of his seven starts.

DSL Mets Orange (9-16) 9, DSL Marlins (8-17) 3

BOX SCORE

• CF Heriberto Rincon: 2-for-3, 2 R, 2B, 3 RBIs (9), BB, 2 SB (.733 OPS)
• RF Jeffry Rosa: 2-for-3, R, 2B, RBI (13), HBP (1.214 OPS)
• SS Cristopher Larez: 1-for-3, 2 R, RBI (12), BB, 2 K, SB (.749 OPS)
• DH Julio Zayas: 1-for-3, 2 R, 2B, RBI (20), BB (.910 OPS)

In Saturday’s game, eight of the nine hits by the Mets Orange offense came from the top four hitters in the lineup. Rincon had a two-run single in the bottom of the fourth and an RBI double in the sixth.

Meanwhile, Larez extended his hit streak to six games with an RBI single of his own in the fourth. Rosa has driven in a run in three of his last five games.

• RHP Edgar Moreta (4.30): 1 IP, 3 R, 1 H, BB
• RHP Anderson Beltre (1-3, 7.27): 4 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 3 K

Even though the Marlins were able to score three runs in the first, the Mets’ pitching staff kept them scoreless for the final six innings with four of them being pitched by Beltre. They did not record another extra-base hit after the first inning.

The post MMO Recap: Mike Vasil Registers Strikeout In Futures Game appeared first on Metsmerized.

Kevin Parada. Photo by Ed Delany, MMO

Triple-A

Game 1: Syracuse Mets (4-3) 2, Rochester Red Wings (1-5) 1

Box Score

• LF Carlos Cortes: 2-for-2, 1 run scored
• CF Lorenzo Cedrola: 1-for-2, HR (1), 2 RBIs (2)
• 3B Danny Mendick: 1-for-3, SB
• 1B Mark Vientos: 1-for-3

Despite the Syracuse offense only putting up five hits in this seven-inning game, Cedrola had the big two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth to put the Mets ahead.

• Joey Lucchesi (1-0): 5 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 4 BB, 6 SO (50 of 80 pitches for strikes)
• Grant Hartwig (1^st save): 2 IP, 1 H (19 of 28 pitches for strikes).

Even though Lucchesi had four walks, he was able to avoid giving up the big hit as Rochester was 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position. While the left-handed pitcher has six walks in two games, he did go one inning more than his first outing back on April 1 against Worcester. As for Hartwig, he has yet to allow a run in three appearances on the young season.

Carlos Cortes, Photo by Ed Delany

Game 2: Syracuse Mets (5-3) 7, Rochester Red Wings (1-6) 0

Box Score

• LF Carlos Cortes: 2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBIs (3)
• CF Lorenzo Cedrola: 2-for-2, 2 runs scored, 2B, BB, HR (2), SB, 3 RBIs (5)
• RF Tanner Murphy: 1-for-3, BB, RBI (1), 2 K’s
• 1B Jose Peraza: 2-for-3, RBI (2)
• 3B Mark Vientos: 1-for-3, K

It was Ceddrola’s afternoon as his three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth capped a five-run sixth inning. The 25-year-old had four home runs all last season with Triple-A Louisville (124 games). Cortes got the scoring started with a two-run single in the fifth. He has recorded a multi-hit game in three of his last five games.

Brett Baty (thumb inflammation) has yet to return to the lineup.

• Alex Valverde: 5 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 3 SO (38 of 58 pitches for strikes)
• Josh Walker: 1 IP, 2 SO (11 of 16 pitches for strikes)
• Eric Orze 1 IP, H, SO (6 of 11 pitches for strikes)

Valverde was making his second start against Rochester this week and he was able to improve with his command after walking four batters back on April 4. The 26-year-old has not allowed a run in back-to-back outings. In fact, the Mets as a staff, did not walk one single batter in Game 2.

JT Schwartz. Photo by Ed Delany, MMO

Double-A

Portland Sea Dogs (3-0) 13, Binghamton Rumble Ponies (0-3) 3

Box Score

• CF Matt Rudick: 3-for-5, 1 R, HR (2), 2 RBIs (6), K
• LF JT Schwartz: 1-for-4, 2B, RBI (1), K
• SS Wyatt Young: 2-for-4, BB, SB
• DH Agustin Ruiz: 1-for-3, BB, 2B, K
• 2B Luke Ritter: 0-for-1, 3 BB’s
• 1B Dariel Gomez: 2-for-4, BB
• RF Brandon McIlwain: 1-for-5, SB, 2 K’s

Rudick was the star of the game as he had three hits and a two-run home run in the top of the fifth. The 24-year-old had three home runs all of last season (90 games) and drove in six runs during the three-game series. Gomez and Young each had multi-hit games and Ritter had three of Binghamton’s six walks. However, the Rumble Ponies were 2-for-11 with men in scoring position.

• Junior Santos (0-1): 4 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 3 BB, 5 SO (46 of 68 pitches for strikes)
• Luis Moreno: 1 1/3 IP, 6 ER, 3 H, 2 BB’s, 2 SO (30 of 50 pitches for strikes)
• Dedniel Nùñez 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, BB (15 of 24 pitches for strikes)
• David Griffin: 2 IP, SO (19 of 27 pitches for strikes)

It was a rough 2023 debut for Santos as he allowed a run in three of the four innings he pitched in. Out of the six hits he allowed, four of them were doubles. The six runs that Moreno allowed in relief was the most he has allowed since August 19, 2021 when he was with Low-A St. Lucie.

Chase Estep. Photo Credits: Darrin Spencer

High-A

Jersey Shore BlueClaws (1-1) 8, Brooklyn Cyclones (1-1) 6

Box Score

•  C Kevin Parada: 2-for-5, R, HR (1)
• SS Cesar Berbesi: 2-for-4, SB
• 1B Chase Estep: 1-for-3, R, 2B, 2 RBIs (2,3), 2 K’s
• DH Joe Suozzi: 1-for-4, 2B, RBI (2)
• 2B Kevin Kendall: 2-for-4, BB, K
• LF Omar De Los Santos: 1-for-5, R, SB

Even in Brooklyn’s first loss of the year, Parada found a way to make an impact as the 11^th pick in last year’s draft hit a two-run home run of the third to get the Cyclones on the board. As for Berbesi, he has four hits in the first two games of the year.

• Dylan Tebrake (0-1): 3 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 4 SO, WP (33 of 53 pitches for strikes)
• Jace Beck: 2/3 IP, 4 R, H, BB, 2 SO (22 of 34 pitches for strikes)
• Quinn Brodey: 2 1/3 IP, ER, H, BB, 2 SO, WP (19 of 34 pitches for strikes)
• Manny Rodriguez: 1 2/3 IP, 2 BB’s, SO (19 of 35 pitches for strikes)
• Kolby Kubichek: 1 1/3 IP, H, SO (10 of 12 pitches for strikes)

The main damage against Tebrake was done in the top of the second when Jersey Shore put up three runs on a pair of RBI singles and a double steal. The BlueClaws had a total of nine stolen bases in the win.

As for Brodey, he made his debut on the mound as he goes from being an outfielder to a pitcher. He did end up hitting a batter and throwing a wild pitch, but he had two strikeouts within a four-batter period. He was not the only batter turned pitcher to appear today as Rodriguez made the fifth professional appearance of his career.

Abraham Almonte. Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

Low-A

Daytona Tortugas (2-0) 10, St. Lucie Mets (0-2) 3

Box Score

• CF Jefrey De Los Santos: 2-for-4, R, HR (1), 2 RBIs (3)
• 2B Kevin Villavicencio: 2-for-3, R, BB
• LF Abraham Almonte: 2 BB’s (rehab assignment)

It was a quiet day for the St. Lucie offense (hitless until the fifth) with the only runs coming on the two-run home from from De Los Santos in the bottom of the eighth. It was just the sixth home run of the 19-year-old’s career in 88 games. According to Baseball Savant, his home run went 398 feet and had an exit velocity of 100.8 miles-per-hour. As for Villaviencio, he has multi-hit days in each of the first two games.

• Christopher Vasquez: 3 IP, 2 H, BB, 3 SO (29 of 45 pitches for strikes)
• Elliot Johnstone (0-1): 2 1/3 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 4 BB’s, SO (26 of 49 pitches for strikes)
• Luke Bartnicki: 1 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 2 H, 4 BB’s, SO, WP (19 of 37 pitches for strikes)
• Jean Calderon: 1 2/3 IP, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 H, 2 BB’s, 3 SO (24 of 39 pitches for strikes)
• Joe Joe Rodriguez: 2/3 IP, BB (12 of 23 pitches for strikes)

As a whole, St. Lucie pitchers combined to walk 12 Tortugas batters in the loss. Vazquez’s sinker touched over 92 mph three times during the game and he used his slider 56% of the time (Baseball Savant). Johnstone ended up taking the loss in his professional debut.

The post Mets Minors Recap: Kevin Parada Hits Homer In Brooklyn’s Loss appeared first on Metsmerized.

Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

The New York Mets have made a series of roster moves, with highly-rated prospect Ronny Mauricio very much the headline-grabber.

The Mets announced on Saturday that they have optioned both Mauricio and LHP Joey Lucchesi to Triple-A. The Mets have also reassigned OF Abraham Almonte and OF Jaylin Davis to minor league camp.

Mets fans will no doubt be disappointed that Mauricio has been optioned to Triple-A, although it shouldn’t come as a surprise. As things stand, there’s no clear pathway to the Major Leagues for the prospect shortstop just yet. With that being said, Mauricio was hugely-impressive in spring training. He slashed .242/.286/.636/.922 with four homers and eight RBIs. He displayed his pure power at the plate and will now begin the 2023 season at Triple-A.

Ronny Mauricio went 450 feet and 110 mph!

pic.twitter.com/qW6uKmII6l

— Mike Mayer (@mikemayer22) February 26, 2023

So too will Lucchesi, who was also optioned on Saturday. The lefty pitched just two innings in spring training, posting an 18.00 ERA with four earned runs on four hits and three walks. It is important to note, however, that Lucchesi is still working his way back from Tommy John Surgery after missing half of the 2021 season and all of 2022. Given that Tylor Megill and David Peterson are ahead of him on the depth chart, it makes sense for Lucchesi to begin the year in Triple-A, get some innings under his belt and be in a position to be ready if and when a call-up to the majors comes.

As for the other moves made on Saturday, it is no surprise that both Almonte and Davis have been reassigned to minor league camp. After all, they are way down the depth chart. Tim Locastro is ahead of both of them having enjoyed a stellar spring so far, as is veteran Tommy Pham.

Almonte did have a good spring himself having hit .500/.650/.643 with two doubles and three RBIs. However, it is worth noting that Almonte is currently dealing with a hamstring issues and that may have hurt his chances of sticking around. Davis, who was signed to a minor league deal by the Mets prior to the first game of spring training, has slashed .273/.333/.500 with one homer, two doubles and one RBI in spring. Both Almonte and Davis are useful depth options to have within the organization. And, if Brandon Nimmo‘s status extends past week-to-week, then we could see a call-up for either Almonte or Davis in the not-too-distant future.

The post Ronny Mauricio Optioned To Triple-A appeared first on Metsmerized.

Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

The Mets added depth to their outfield during the offseason with the minor league signings of Tim Locastro, Abraham Almonte, and D.J. Stewart, and early in spring, all three are off to good starts.

Locastro, 30, was signed as a free agent by the Mets in January and is showing early in Mets camp that he might be a solid depth piece. The New York native is known for his speed (39 steals in 44 attempts) and getting plunked (37 HBP in only 549 plate appearances). Locastro spent the 2022 season posting .588 OPs in 38 games for the Yankees.

Locastro is batting .333/.500/.444, with a .944 OPS through five games played this spring. He has one double, two RBIs, and three runs scored, and he leads the team with three stolen bases and three hit by pitches.

Most recently, Locastro went 2-for-3 with a stolen base against the Cardinals on Monday and on Wednesday he hit a go-ahead double with the bases loaded to give the Mets a lead over the Marlins that they held on to in their win over Miami. Locastro has experience playing all three outfield spots.

The veteran Almonte signed with the Mets in December after playing in 15 games in the majors for the Red Sox during the 2022 season. The 33-year-old has played in parts of 10 major league seasons with seven different teams.

So far this spring, Almonte is batting .625/ .700/ .750, with a 1.450 OPS. He is 5-for-8 with one double, two walks, two RBIs, and a run scored. Almonte has played all three outfield spots during his career and is considered a solid defender.

Stewart, 29, signed with the Mets in February after getting just three big league at-bats for the Orioles last season. The left-handed hitter does have 26 home runs in 527 major league at-bats and spent time with Mets’ manager Buck Showalter in Baltimore.

Through four games played this spring, he is batting .286/.444/.429 with one double, three RBIs, and a run scored. Stewart has been a corner outfielder in his career and played a few games at first base last season in the minors.

The Mets are currently set in the starting outfielder with Mark Canha, Brandon Nimmo, and Starling Marte, and signed Tommy Pham to be their fourth outfielder. The Mets don’t have any notable outfield prospects in the upper levels of the minor leaguers making it important that players like Locastro, Almonte, and Stewart can provide the team with solid depth options during the 2023 season.

The post Mets’ Veteran Depth Outfielders Playing Well appeared first on Metsmerized.