On Friday, the Mets announced that Paul Blackburn would begin a rehab assignment with High-A Brooklyn. Blackburn made that start Friday night, and he allowed two runs in three innings while striking out six batters. Blackburn has yet to appear in a major league game this year but he’s on his way, and he will certainly be counted on for innings either as a sixth starter or bulk man upon his return.

Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

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The Mets (22-11) defeated the Cardinals (14-19) 9-3 on Friday night. Clay Holmes tossed a quality start and lowered his ERA to 2.95 while Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo homered. Five Mets batters, including Alonso and Nimmo, recorded two or more hits in the victory.

Two Mets were recognized with monthly awards for the month of April. Pete Alonso was named National League Player of the Month by hitting seven home runs and accumulating a 1.131 OPS, while Luisangel Acuña was named National League Rookie of the Month by recording a .288 batting average with seven stolen bases.

Prior to Friday’s game, the Mets announced that reliever Austin Warren has been recalled from Triple-A while Ty Adcock, who pitched in Thursday’s loss and recorded one out, was sent back down.

According to a report by Daniel Wexler, which was later confirmed by MMO’s own Mike Mayer, the Mets decided to call up Blade Tidwell to make a spot start in St. Louis on Sunday. Tidwell is one of the best pitching prospects in the Mets’ system and has pitched much better than his 5.00 ERA in Triple-A would suggest.

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Per Yankees manager Aaron Boone, Jazz Chisholm Jr. has a “high grade” oblique strain and is expected to be out “a while.”

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, former Met J.D. Davis is returning to the Angels a day after being optioned and electing free agency. It is a minor league deal, and Davis will be reporting to Triple-A.

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Kai Chang relives the breakout, two-home run performance by Juan Soto in Thursday’s loss against the Diamondbacks.

On This Date in Mets History

1988: David Cone threw his first career shutout in an 8-0 win over the Braves on this day 37 years ago. Cone began the 1988 season in the bullpen but joined the rotation after Rick Aguilera went down with an injury. Cone went on to deliver one of the best years of his career, going 20-3 with a 2.22 ERA in over 230 innings.

Born on This Date: Walker Lockett (1994), Jack DiLauro (1943), Chris Cannizzaro (1938).

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Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

The start of the 2023 season is on the horizon, and the New York Mets are ready to begin their push for a World Series title.

The Mets particularly had an interesting spring that had its high and low moments. Multiple key players dealt with injuries, highlighted by Edwin Díaz, who will miss the whole year after tearing his right patella tendon. On the flip side, a couple of top prospects tore up the Grapefruit League.

That being said, the first month of the season for the Mets will be decisive. Due to injury, certain players have been given the opportunity to demonstrate their skills. Meanwhile, top prospects await in Syracuse, leaving veteran players on the hot seat.

Here are five storylines to watch during the first month of the season.

1. Eduardo Escobar & Third Base

All eyes are going to be on Eduardo Escobar in the first month of the season. The veteran third baseman, who signed a two-year, $20 million deal before the 2022 season, had a lackluster first year in Queens, slashing .240/.295/.430/.726 with 20 home runs in 136 games. Diving deeper into his 2022 season, Escobar salvaged his numbers in September, when he slashed .321/.385/.596/.982 and hit eight of his 20 homers.

To make matters worse, Escobar was one of the worst defenders in baseball last season. He ranked in the 8th percentile for Outs Above Average and the 47th percentile for arm strength. It’s been five years since the 34-year-old has been a plus defender at third base, and with Brett Baty and his improved defense in Escobar’s rearview mirror, his future as the starter at third might be coming to an end with the Mets.

If Escobar doesn’t have a strong start to the season, many fans will start to harp on the team to call up Baty from Syracuse. (Many fans are reasonably upset Baty didn’t make the team out of spring.) The veteran had a decent April last season slashing .258/.378/.427/.805,  but it may take an offensive statement to cement regular playing time.

Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

2. Bullpen Management

The Mets’ bullpen took a massive blow in February. Díaz, Sam Coonrod, and Bryce Montes de Oca injured themselves in the World Baseball Classic and spring training, leaving the team with a glaring hole in the ninth inning and little depth.

In regards to the ninth inning, Buck Showalter has two options moving forward—Adam Ottavino and David Robertson. Ottavino has looked better in spring, striking out two batters in three scoreless innings and was stellar for the Mets in 2022. However, Robertson, who saved 20 games last season, has had past success saving games in New York and could easily be thrust into the role.

Old faces and new acquisitions will fight for their roles in the first month as well. Drew Smith struck out 11 batters in six innings and may get higher leverage innings after an injury derailed his above-average 2022. Meanwhile, John Curtiss, who missed all of 2022 with Tommy John surgery, had an amazing spring and could be in the mix for high-leverage situations as well. He recorded a 2.70 ERA and struck out 11 batters in 6 2/3 innings.

3. Who’s the Odd Man Out

The Mets’ starting three outfielders are the same from the year before, but during the first month of the season, two players will duke it out for the fourth spot on the roster over the course of the first month or so.

Tommy Pham looked like the guy before the start of spring training once the Mets handed him a one-year, $6 million contract. However, the 35-year-old had an abysmal spring, slashing .156/.255/.178/.433 with zero home runs.

Pham’s performance opened the door for Tim Locastro, who signed a minor-league contract with the Mets in January. While Locastro is most known for his speed, the former Yankee crushed the ball in spring training, slashing .289/.396/.511.//907 in 45 games.

Besides his superior spring, Locastro may get the edge over Pham to start the season based on his profile. He is the speedy, plug-in fourth-outfielder that Showalter prefers—like Travis Jankowski in 2022—with the ability to impact the game outside of his bat. Pham, as of now, is stuck in limbo and may only get opportunities as a right-handed DH platoon.

David Peterson. Photo by Ed Delaney, MMO

4. David Peterson & The Final Rotation Spot

When spring training started, David Peterson and Tylor Megill were seen as depth pieces. However, after José Quintana went down with a substantial injury to his rib, the two of them battled it out for the fifth spot in the rotation.

Peterson became the beneficiary of the opportunity, winning the last spot in the rotation after striking out 13 batters across 12 scoreless innings. The former first-round pick not only limited runs, but limited base runners as well, and finished the spring with an outstanding 0.75 WHIP.

All eyes will be on Peterson to start the season. He grabbed eyes during his first year in 2020, but hasn’t stuck in the rotation since. (Although, when he was asked to start in 2022, he performed well.) Peterson will be 27 for the majority of the season, making him the youngest starter in the rotation behind Kodai Senga, who is 30 years old.

If Peterson struggles, the Mets could call up Megill, who was sent down to Syracuse after recording a 3.71 ERA across 17 spring training innings. Megill has proven his stuff can play in the majors, and he will make an appearance this season when an inevitable injury occurs. He is only a year removed from starting on Opening Day against the Nationals.

5. Check On The Kids

Baty and Mark Vientos were sent down to minor league camp during the last weekend of spring training. The two top prospects tore up the Grapefruit league, leaving many Mets fans confused as to why neither made the Opening Day roster.

Baty—the most confusing of the two—was sent down after slashing .325/.460/.425/.885 in 40 at-bats. The Mets’ second overall prospect also displayed his new defense, which looked refined and was attributed to a shift in mindset.

While the decision to send down Vientos seemed likely, he impressed enough in the spring to be in the conversation for the 26-man roster. The right-hander slashed .278/.310/.481/.791 with two home runs in 54 at-bats. However, the main concern with Vientos entering 2023 was his strikeout percentage, and during spring training this year, he struck out 38% of the time.

The two top 10 prospects are going to have eyes on them in the first month of the season. With Darin Ruf off the roster, both of them have an easier path to the big leagues. If Baty or Vientos dominates in Triple-A—or somebody gets injured on the MLB roster—it’s not unreasonable to think one of them could get called up in April. Billy Eppler was quoted saying the two of them were one call away.

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The passing of Tom Seaver is now behind them, and the Mets are in the stretch run of their 60-game season.

If there is any chance to play baseball in October, well, now is the time to be consistent and win ball games.

But with only 21 games remaining, they are running out of time.

The dramatic come from behind win over the Yankees is also behind them.

You might have thought, hey, that win was a turning point and divine intervention…think again.

The Mets continued to show their mediocrity in the opening game loss of a crucial series with the Phillies last night at Citi Field. 

If this was a normal season, with Labor Day weekend here, all probability says the Mets would be playing out the string.

Now before you jump to conclusions, even with the team being within reach of a wild card, there is one main factor to consider as to why the team will come up short.

The word is consistency.

 The Mets have failed to compile a winning streak that is needed more with this truncated schedule.

They need to pitch, hit, and play better defense on the field.

They made an attempt last night to continue any momentum they had, with Rick Porcello doing his best in a so-so quality start.

But the Mets could not rally, and they lost another game that could have gone their way.

At 17-22, the Mets face the possible end for any hopes of a postseason run if the Phillies sweep or take three-of-four in this series.

Any chance of catching the first place Braves would require a remarkable run of winning 15 of their remaining games. 

And with this team, because there is lack of consistency, the Mets will need more of that divine intervention.

They will need to string wins together in a hurry to qualify as one of those eight teams out of the National League.

They will need consistency.

According to manager Luis Rojas, every game is the most important one.

The Mets are chasing the Phillies which makes this series an even more important one.

What follows after this Phillies series?

The Orioles, Blue Jays, and three more at the Phillies.

Yes, they are all important. 

The Orioles are rebuilding but are a good hitting team.

The Blue Jays are chasing the Yankees and closing in, which signifies how good they are. 

The Phillies?

Joe Girardi has his team in position and playing their best ball of the season these past two weeks. 

But the Mets?

Time is running out.

Again, you can’t paint a picture on this as a season of what if’s.

You can say, though, that the second half run of last year was enough time before coming up short. 

There is the difference this September, being 60 games compared to 162.

The winning streak has not come and there was no evidence this team could compile a bunch of wins.

Always, the games that you lose in April do come back to hurt a team in September.

The Mets as a team last year were an example of April not working in September, except this one is different.

The Mets needed to win ball games, and many at the beginning of this unusual season.

Unfortunately, they have not been able to be consistent in the win column.

So when the manager says every game is important — that, “We’ve got to play good baseball,” this is the message.

But the message and word are crucial. 

Because the next three games are crucial, if the Mets can’t handle the Phillies this Labor Day weekend then it’s time to plan for 2021.

Comment: Twitter @Ring786  Facecbook.com/Rich Mancuso

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Unfortunately, it didn’t take long for the Mets to have their first big injury scare heading into the abbreviated 2020 season. Jacob deGrom left Tuesday’s intrasquad game with back tightness according to Steve Gelbs. No further updates have been provided.

DeGrom has been in top form and is coming into the year off of two consecutive NL Cy Young awards. With a new look staff at the back-end of the rotation, deGrom is being looked to as one of the constants for the Mets’ hopes of contending for a playoff spot.

On the surface, Mets fans can breathe a sigh of relief that this isn’t more serious or having to do with any arm issues. On the other hand, the season is fast approaching as we’re into single digits in the countdown.

This is an issue that also happened back in 2016. DeGrom left an early April start with back tightness and missed two turns in the rotation before returning on April 24.

Hopefully this isn’t something that will linger for the recently turned 32-year old ace of the staff. Certainly it won’t be expected for him to pitch again before the season opener at best on July 24 against Atlanta. He was previously on schedule for one more outing before the season gets underway.

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The Post originally reported Rodriguez’s potential interest in making a run at the Mets in February, with Variety confirming his and Lopez’ retaining of JPMorgan Chase to help facilitate funding on April 20.

Per author Thornton McEnery’s sources, Mets ownership’s “reluctance to part with SNY”, the team’s regional sports network, was at the heart of the breakdown between parties.

Wayne Rothbaum of Quogue Capital LLC was initially tabbed as a potential investor in a bid with Rodriguez and Lopez, but, as per the Post, “the Rothbaum thing soured fast”.

Rothbaum was reportedly very much interested in investing in a below-market purchase of the team as of last week, but, clearly, things hit a snag.

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 global health crisis and the indefinite suspension of baseball operations, naturally, the value of the team is in flux.

Forbes currently has the team’s monetary value pegged at $2.4 billion with SNY, though that figure would surely be lower without the inclusion of the cable network in a potential sale.

Billionaire hedge fund manager — and current holder of a minority, eight percent stake in the team — Steve Cohen’s agreement to purchase 80 percent of the Mets for $2.6 billion — without SNY — fell through in February.

Though some reports of the Long Island-raised Cohen still having an interest in purchasing the team have circulated, these could be classified as rumors, at best.

We’ll keep you posted with more information as it becomes available.

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The Mets announced that their pandemic ticket policy currently covers games through the end of April.

This policy encourages that fans take credit to be used on purchases in the future. The Mets are also offering a 20% bonus to season-ticket holders as well as a 10% bonus to individual and group ticket buyers.

Fans can also take a refund for the impacted games in lieu of receiving credit if they wish. Fans who have purchased tickets from a party besides the Mets should contact that party directly.

Fans who wish to utilize their gained credit from unusable tickets can do so once tickets for the 2021 season go on sale. It has not been announced yet when exactly that is going to be.

As of now, this policy only applies to previously scheduled Mets home games through the end of April. However, information for games past that date will surely be announced at a later date as more information becomes available about what MLB’s plans are for the rest of the season, assuming that there even is one.

This is obviously a challenging and unique situation, but it is being handled by the organization as the plans for the near future become clearer.

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Major League Baseball announced on Tuesday that it will work with its teams to create a ticket refund or ticket exchange program from games lost to the coronavirus pandemic. According to Tim Healey of Newsday, it will be up to teams to decide when and how to handle their respective ticket policies, with the Mets likely to announce an updated plan on Wednesday. Until the announcement, MLB resisted any talk on refunds as they claimed that games were merely postponed and not canceled and that refunds were unnecessary and not justified. But now that a month of baseball has been missed, MLB is coming under increased pressure to alter its ticket policy.

Fans and politicians alike are upset over baseball’s seeming indifference to this matter, as MLB continues to hold millions of dollars of tickets from March and April that are unlikely to be used. At least one lawsuit, currently seeking class-action certification, has been filed in U.S. District Court against MLB teams and ticket agencies seeking refunds for fans, and a handful of members of Congress have been vocal in appealing to sports leagues and ticketing agencies to refund ticket money to consumers.

With this pressure coming from several areas, and baseball enters into its fifth week of postponed games, MLB has blinked and action has resulted, starting with Tuesday’s announcement. There will be definitive ticket refund policies from several teams as early as this week. Some teams have already stated that their new policy will be in place on Wednesday.

Initially, the offer of refunds is expected to be limited to scheduled games in March and April, according to an industry source familiar with MLB’s plans. The Wall Street Journal was the first to announce baseball’s decision to offer refunds.

Locally, Healey reported MLB told teams that it is now up to individual teams to decide when and how to handle tickets for games that are not happening. As mentioned, MLB will offer guidance if needed. There has been no word yet on the Yankees’ plans.

Other teams that have made their intentions known are the San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics. Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reported Tuesday that the Giants will have a new policy in place in 24 hours and that the A’s will announce theirs later in the week.

Baseball, a $10.7 billion industry, is facing other pressures as well, most notably the viability and structure of a 2020 season. The hope is to salvage the season, most likely starting this summer with games in empty stadiums in locations where government and public health officials have lifted stay-at-home directives. The hope would be to permit fans to attend games later in the modified season, perhaps in limited numbers to allow for social distancing.

But even if this best-case scenario was to occur, MLB would still be facing massive losses.

This is an evolving story and as more information is made available, especially with regard to Mets tickets, MMO will provide the information with updates to this article and in new articles as well.

Stay tuned.

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The Mets have set out to pay their employees for the rest of the season, per a report from Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich of The Athletic. However, the Wilpons will reduce their employees’ pay for the remainder of the 2020 season, regardless if the season is canceled or not. The Padres will enact a similar plan with their staff.

This move will affect the Mets’ non-player personnel, such as their coaches, scouts, and executives. It will only impact employees earning more than a $60,000 salary and those who earn the most will procure the most reductions. The pay cuts will start in May and continue through October 31st.

On Monday, April 20th, Rob Manfred permitted all Major-League clubs to reduce the pay of their non-personal staff in order to remain financially afloat. It’s been reported that the Wilpons are struggling with their cash flows and are looking for a way to raise more capital.

In order to save costs this season, the Wilpons’ prefer to cut the paychecks of the players, a concern which they recently raised in a call with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Another way the Wilpons are looking to save cash is to offload the Mets. A sale with billionaire Steve Cohen fizzled out earlier this year, but Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez are reportedly looking for investors to team up with to facilitate a purchase of the club. Cohen offered 2.6 billion dollars, but with the current economic landscape, a bid of that magnitude seems extremely unlikely.

Earlier this month, the Mets’ ownership created a fund worth 1.2 million dollars to pay Citi Field’s day-to-day staff during the COVID-19 crisis.

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The news was first reported by Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Steinbrenner, who turned 63 on April 2, died of a long battle with an illness that reportedly is not COVID-19 related. Exact details of the cause of death were not disclosed.

Hank Steinnrenner, along with his younger brother Hal, became the owners of the Yankees in 2010 after the death of their father, the outspoken George Steinbrenner. Hank and Hal gained control of the team three years prior, in 2007, due to the declining health of the elder Steinbrenner.

Hank rarely was seen with the team, managing them from his offices in Tampa. He was known to be outspoken like his father and was never afraid to voice his opinions whether they were popular or not.

Later on Tuesday, a statement was released from Mets principal owner, Fred Wilpon, and COO Jeff Wilpon.:

“On behalf of the entire Mets organization, we extend our deepest condolences to Hal and the entire Steinbrenner family on the passing of Hank Steinbrenner. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and all those so close to Hank at this difficult time.”

Hank Steinbrenner is survived by his four children.

This is a developing story and MMO will provide more details as they emerge.

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In a new memo released by MLB commisoner Rob Manfred on Tuesday morning, Manfred committed to paying league employees through the end of May. How are they funding this? Himself, as well as senior staff at the league, are reducing their pay by an average of 35% for this year.

This means that Major League Baseball is going to continue sending scheduled financial distributions during the months of April and May to all thirty ballclubs, as planned. This money was noted to “assist the Club in paying the salary advances that are being made to players.” This amount is expected to total $170 million over the next two months.

This news comes a couple of weeks after MLB announced pay for minor leaguers, as well as other steps they have been taking to combat COVID-19 and about a month after each team pledged $1 million each to ballpark employees.

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