In an SNY interview, Mets new manager Carlos Mendoza gave an update on his ace who will be sidelined through 2024 opening day. When asked about Kodai Senga‘s rehab, Mendoza commented “so far, so good” as he continues his limited activity in the early stages of nursing his shoulder injury. 

While mentioning that the club will learn more once he starts playing catch, he mentioned that “he is moving in the right direction.” 

Missing Senga to start the season without a doubt hampers the Mets’ early season success, but getting him back while preventing further injury is even more valuable to the club.

Kodai Senga. Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Latest Mets News

The New York City Planning Commission unanimously voted to approve NYCFC’s Willets Point stadium. Click here to learn more about the approval and the renderings that NYCFC released. 

Mets radio announcer Howie Rose plans to continue to cut back the amount of games he will be announcing, per Neil Best of Newsday. Rose, who announced 124 games last season, is planning on only announcing 101 games during the 2024 season.

The Mets are reportedly one of three teams that are “in the mix” for DH J.D. Martinez, Jon Heyman announced in a Bleacher Report live stream. 

The Mets game planned for Wednesday against the Houston Astros was cancelled due to weather. The Mets will play the Nationals on Thursday at 6:05 P.M. EST and will be on SNY.

Latest MLB News

Mike Zunino announced that he is retiring from the game of baseball after 11 seasons in the major leagues. The former Guardian, Mariner, and Ray, Zunino finishes his career with 149 home runs and one All-Star game appearance. 

The Washington Nationals signed former Braves outfielder Eddie Rosario, per Daniel Álvarez-Montes of El Extrabase. The deal is a split contract in which he could reach up to $4 million with incentives. 

Long-time Dodger and former MVP Steve Garvey advanced to the general election for U.S. Senate in California, per The AP.

Andy McCullough of The Athletic produced an article that went in depth on the peculiar world of MLB real estate. 

The Red Sox and Brayan Bello are reportedly deep in talks about a long-term deal that would keep him in Boston beyond 2028, per Alex Speier of Boston Globe. 

Pirates reliever Dauri Moreta is dealing with a ligament injury and it “is going to have him out for an extended period of time.” according to Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk, per Alex Stumpf of MLB.com. 

Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto struggled in his second spring training start, allowing five runs in three innings. 

Latest on MMO

MMO fan Tom Sokol proposed the idea of the Mets going with a 6-man rotation, despite Senga’s absence.

Elliot Teichman previews 2024 non-roster invitee Yolmer Sánchez.

Tylor Megill continues to shine while featuring his new-fashioned splitter.

On This Date in Mets History

2019: The Mets sign outfielder Carlos Gómez 12 years after he made his debut with the club. Gómez hit three home-runs in his short time with the club in the 2019 season.

2010: Omir Santos hits an inside-the-park grand slam in the Mets’ spring training game against the Washington Nationals.

Birthdays: Jeff Kent (56), Mauro Gozzo (58), Galen Cisco (88)

The post Morning Briefing: Kodai Senga ‘Moving in the Right Direction’ appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

While Wednesday did not present a lot of news from the baseball world, we did get some updates on interest the remaining free agents are garnering. One of the bigger pieces of news came from Jon Heyman, who said on a Bleacher Report live stream that the Los Angeles Angels are one of the team showing increased interest in Joey Votto. The long-time Reds first baseman is now a free agent for the first time in his 17-year career and the 40-year-old seems to be trending towards a change of scenery for the first time in his illustrious career. 

Votto’s numbers have declined drastically over the past couple of seasons, which saw him put up a .747 OPS in just 65 games in 2023. However, the former MVP can provide a veteran presence to a very young Angels club and whatever numbers he accrues at the dish will be a welcomed extra. 

Latest Mets News

Brandon Nimmo was named the second best left fielder in Major League Baseball by MLB Network. Read up on Nimmo’s ranking here!

Two of the Mets’ international free agent signees found themselves in Baseball America‘s top 30 list of this year’s international free agents. For more on the Mets signings, click here!

Mets pitchers and catchers will report to spring training on February 12. Learn about more important Mets spring training dates here!

The Baseball Hall of Fame released a list of players who will be eligible for election next season. That list includes former Mets Curtis Granderson and Carlos Gómez. They also noted that Daniel Murphy and Neil Walker will be eligible come 2026. 

Latest MLB News

Nathanael Pérez Nero of Diario Libre released a report that many prospects, who were supposed to sign with clubs during the internal free agency period, were altering documents. Millions of dollars worth of pre-agreements were annulled due to these prospects altering their identity, some changing their age by up to six years. 

Trey Mancini signed a minor league deal with the Miami Marlins which includes an invite to major league spring training, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

The New York Yankees announced that they have outrighted infielder Jeter Downs and outfielder Oscar González to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Along with that, the Minnesota Twins have claimed outfielder Bubba Thompson off waivers from the Yankees. 

The Detroit Tigers signed RHP Drew Anderson to a minor league deal, per Evan Woodbery of MLive. Anderson spent the past two seasons in Japan, but has previously pitched in the big leagues for the Phillies, White Sox, and Rangers. 

MLB Network will be airing a countdown of the top 100 prospects in MLB on Friday at 7 p.m. ET. 

Latest on MMO

The Mets have shown interest in relief pitcher Ryne Stanek. Read more about the potential Met here!

Could David Stearns use his Milwaukee ties to swing another trade? Learn more about potential trade target Brandon Woodruff!

Read up on some of the Mets top international free-agent signings from this years cycle. 

On This Date in Mets History

2016: The Mets announce that they will be retiring Mike Piazza‘s 31 jersey number, less than twenty days after he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Piazza became the fourth Met to have his number retired, joining Casey Stengel, Gil Hodges, and Tom Seaver.

2007: Mets manager Willie Randolph agrees to a three-year extension with the club after leading the Mets to a National League East title in 2006.

The post Morning Briefing: Angels Showing Interest in Joey Votto appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

His contributions to the Mets were measured in quality — not quantity. Injuries deprived us of knowing if Johan Santana could have reached the expectations placed on him when he arrived in New York.

He was a two-time Cy Young award winner with the Minnesota Twins and perhaps the best starting pitcher in baseball. The Mets were intent on avenging a late-season collapse in 2007 and a major off-season acquisition would go a long way. For GM Omar Minaya, Santana was the solution.

Sending away top center field prospect Carlos Gomez plus three minor leaguers (Philip Humber, Deolis Guerra, and Kevin Mulvey), Minaya and the Twins agreed to a trade that resonated both in Queens and throughout the major league landscape on this day in 2008. Two days later, under a deadline to close a contract, the Mets and the left-handed ace sealed a six-year, $137.5 million dollar deal.

A team clouded with question marks in the wake of colossal disappointment was suddenly a World Series contender again. New York’s new ace fit the description in his first year — leading the national league in ERA, games started, and innings pitched while eclipsing 200 strikeouts for the fifth straight time and ending with a team-best 7.2 bWAR. He would wind up third in the NL Cy Young Award voting.

The Mets, though, couldn’t shake another rough September, which ultimately had them on the outside of the playoff picture. Santana did his best to prevent it with a performance in a must-win situation which may be his best ever as a Met.

On the penultimate of the regular season, Santana fought through a bum left knee to pitch a complete-game three-hitter against the Florida Marlins before a packed house at a soon-to-be-closed Shea Stadium.

Going forward, dominant performances were less frequent and an injured Santana was far too common. Starting with the 2009 season, he never reached 30 starts or 200 innings again. Santana proved to be perpetually fragile with the Mets after being extremely durable during his time in Minnesota. Despite the constant ailments, he produced a three-year ERA+ of 143 from ’08 through 2010.

Unfortunately, Santana missed the entirety of 2011 and 2013. Throughout his tenure, appearances on the mound were fewer than any Met fan would like. When he was pitching, he was still pretty good — if not great. Santana’s Mets career amounted to a 46-34 record over four years with a 3.18 ERA and 1.201 WHIP in 109 starts.

No Met fan will ever forget the complete game, three-hit shutout. But then there was June 1, 2012 — to this day, 60 years in, the only no-hitter by a New York Mets pitcher.

For that game alone, in spite of the injuries that held him back, the trade remains a signature moment.

The post OTD 2008: Mets Trade for Johan Santana appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

It was a crazy week — even by Mets standards. 

It began with the team seeking help before the trade deadline — specifically a bat that would jump-start a lifeless offense — as it teetered on the .500 mark but had first place still in its sights. 

It ended with the Mets landing that key bat and beginning their surge to the NL East title and, ultimately, the pennant. 

In between was a roller coaster of emotions that went from hope to sadness to anger to euphoria. And those emotions weren’t limited to the fans. 

On July 27, New York fortified its relief pitching with Tyler Clippard from Oakland — another less-than-flashy but substantive move on top of recent utility player pick-ups Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson.

It appeared the need for a major piece to the batting order was filled on July 29 — when in the middle of a home game against San Diego, a deal had reportedly been made to acquire Carlos Gomez from the Brewers with Wilmer Flores among those being shipped to Milwaukee. The deal fell through over concerns about Gomez’s hip, but not before Flores had been notified by fans of his seemingly impending departure. 

Thoughts over leaving the only organization he’d known since he was 16 years old brought him to tears while on the field at shortstop. Postgame pressers over why the trade was nixed were perceived as an embarrassment for a franchise accustomed to PR blunders.

More heartbreak came the next afternoon when a 7-1 lead on the Padres washed away with a ninth-inning meltdown — and two excruciating rain delays in between. 

Then came July 31 and the looming 4 p.m. EST trade deadline. With three minutes to spare, and fans approaching abject despair, the Mets snatched Yoenis Cespedes from Detroit. In 102 games, the 29-year-old had a batting average of .293 with 18 homers and 61 RBI. In other words, it was just what this lineup needed.

Hours after the Mets made one of their most impactful trades in years, the player they didn’t let go provided one of the biggest hits in recent memory.

The Mets were hosting the Nats in a crucial three-game series, behind three games in the NL East standings. Energized by their newest addition but without him until the next day, the spotlight shifted to Flores. He began with a diving defensive play that elicited a standing ovation from the Citi Field crowd. They were standing with each at-bat, too. And in the fourth inning, he drove in the first run on a single. 

That would be the Mets’ lone run for a while, as Washington tied the game in the eighth. The deadlock lasted into the bottom of the 12th with Flores leading off. He had already earned the empathy of fans. And his home run to give New York a 2-1 victory, moving them a game closer to first place, cemented himself as a Mets cult hero. On the same field where he shed tears two nights earlier, Wilmer had a far different emotion rounding the bases. As he neared the swarm of teammates at home plate, he tugged on the front of his jersey — a symbolic gesture showing who he belonged to. 

While Cespedes ultimately was the spark this team needed, with 17 homers, 44 RBI, and a 155 OPS+ in 57 games, helping to carry New York over the final two months of the regular season, it was Flores’ storybook homer that kick-started the Mets on their road to the pennant.

The post OTD in 2015: Mets Acquire Cespedes, Wilmer Walks It Off appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Outfielder Carlos Gomez, designated for assignment by the New York Mets on Sunday, refused the assignment (via International League transactions), opting to become a free agent. Gomez, 33, signed a minor-league deal with the Mets in March.

Over 35 games (140 plate appearances) with Triple-A Syracuse, the Dominican native slashed .270/.329/.500 with six homers, 22 RBIs, and nine doubles, earning himself a mid-May call-up, just after Brandon Nimmo (neck) went down.

Despite ample playing time (34 games; 99 plate appearances) over six weeks with the Mets, Gomez couldn’t find a groove at the plate, hitting .198/.278/.337 with 30 strikeouts and looking, at times, overmatched in a major-league outfield despite not-atrocious defensive metrics (-2 DRS, -0.3 UZR, -4.1 UZR/150).

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

The post Carlos Gomez Opts For Free Agency, Leaves Mets appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

On Sunday, the Mets announced that they have activated pitcher Noah Syndergaard from the injured list and designated outfielder Carlos Gomez for assignment.

Syndergaard, 27 next month, will be on the hill for New York’s series finale against the Atlanta Braves Sunday night.

The right-hander had been sidelined with a low-grade hamstring strain that he sustained on June 15 against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Syndergaard has pitched to a 4.55 ERA, 3.61 FIP and 1.211 WHIP in 15 starts this season.

Gomez, 33, had been worth just -0.4 WAR for the Mets in 2019.

In the outfielder’s return to Queens, he had a clutch game-winning home run against the Washington Nationals, but overall was ineffective.

The Dominican Republic native went just 17-for-86 in 34 games for the Amazin’s.

The post Mets Activate Noah Syndergaard From IL, DFA Carlos Gomez appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

After yesterday’s clubhouse fireworks, Mets’ beat reporter Tim Healey of Newsday explained what happened during his altercation with Manager Mickey Callaway and starter Jason Vargas. Healey said the conflict began with a misunderstanding over a comment he made to the Mets’ skipper.

“Mickey came out of his office, dressed, and I thought he was leaving for the day, so I said, ‘See you tomorrow, Mickey,’” Healey said. “And then he said, ‘Don’t be a smart-***.” (David Lennon, Newsday)

According to other reporters present, Callaway directed more expletives at Healey. But Healey said he did not hear them because “he was standing about ten feet away.”

Healey said that he tried to explain to Callaway that he didn’t mean anything by his remark, but the situation only escalated from there.  Callaway said that he wanted Healey out of the clubhouse, which Vargas overheard. According to Healey, Vargas stared him down for what “seemed like roughly 45 seconds,” and soon threatened him. Healey said that he only had asked Vargas if “everything was OK or if there was something he wanted to say.”

“He said, ‘I’ll knock you out right here,’ and then took a couple of steps toward me,” Healey said. “Some people said charged — charged is super-strong.”

The conflict ended there as Vargas was held back by Noah Syndergaard and Carlos Gomez, while Mets’ media relations manager Ethan Wilson got in between Healey and Vargas. Healey said he walked away at that point.

“I was shocked, and at the same time trying to tell Vargas or Callaway or Ethan, ‘Hey I didn’t mean anything by it,’ which might have been interpreted as aggression on my part. I was in no way trying to be aggressive or antagonistic or anything. At that point in the day, I want to talk to Diaz and then leave, you know? What’s the point in me trying to pick a fight?”

Healey said Mets’ COO Jeff Wilpon called him to apologize for what happened.

“Jeff Wilpon called me (Sunday) evening to apologize on behalf of the organization,” Healey said during a telephone interview. “He stressed the fact that I should feel comfortable being able to do my job at the ballpark and that moving forward, there’s no reason for me to feel uncomfortable. I appreciated that sentiment from him, absolutely.”

It was a stunning end to what started out as such a promising day for the Mets. Reigning Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom put the team in position to win with nine strikeouts over six innings of two-run ball, while Pete Alonso smashed the Mets’ rookie home run record with 27 dingers to pass Darryl Strawberry in the record books.

But all this excitement came to a crashing halt once Javier Baez crushed what would be the game-winning home run in the eighth inning off the laboring Seth Lugo. Callaway did not remove Lugo from the game, even though he didn’t have his best stuff, and had All-Star closer Edwin Diaz in the bullpen.

Reporters grilled Callaway on his decision not to use Diaz in such a pivotal spot, as Chicago’s best hitters  – Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Baez –  were up to bat that inning. Callaway’s decision backfired, and it sparked another meltdown by the Mets’ struggling bullpen that leads the MLB in blown saves with 16.

After yesterday’s debacle, General Manager Brodie Van Wagenen will travel to Philadelphia to be with the team as they begin their series with the Phillies today. The Mets also released this statement last night about the clubhouse incident:

“The Mets sincerely regret the incident that took place with one of our beat writers following today’s game in the clubhouse,” the statement said. “We do not condone this type of behavior from any employee.”

The post News: Tim Healey Explains Role In Mets’ Clubhouse Fireworks appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

New York Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen was outwardly confident about the roster he overhauled heading into this current season. Being confident is never a bad thing, but it’s hard to think about with the All-Star fast approaching and his squad currently struggling through a crucial stretch of games.

Sunday’s loss against the St. Louis Cardinals was their third in four games (and they just barely escaped with a victory on Saturday night). They enter Monday’s action with a 34-37 record, a 7.5-game between them and the first-place Atlanta Braves, as well as being five games off the pace for the final National League wild-card spot.

One of the team’s problem areas has been center field. We were reminded of that prior to Sunday’s game, when Mickey Callaway shared the possibility of Michael Conforto or Jeff McNeil manning the position in order to keep J.D. Davis and Dominic Smith in the lineup more often.

Of course, it’s only gotten to this point because all the other options haven’t lived up to expectations.

Seeing Conforto or McNeil patrolling the grass in center field is coming closer to a reality due to the recent setback Brandon Nimmo experienced during his rehab assignment with Triple-A Syracuse. While his plate-discipline numbers began evening out in May after a rough March/April, it’s not as if he was lighting the world on fire in the batter’s box.

Although his 16.1% walk rate is stellar, it’s been accompanied by a 29.8% strikeout rate, a .200/.344/.323 triple slash, and 90 wRC+. He’s also been on the shelf for a bit, and any of the other internal options available to the Mets haven’t been working, either.

Keon Broxton was barely around before getting designated for assignment and traded to the Baltimore Orioles. Whether it was a lack of playing time or not, it’s hard to justify holding onto a player who managed a .371 OPS, 7 wRC+, 41.5% strikeout rate, and -0.4 fWAR in only 53 plate appearances. His counterpart, Juan Lagares, hasn’t been much better despite much more opportunity.

Even with his two hits and RBI on Sunday, the 2014 Gold Glove winner is slashing a woeful .197/.261/.279 through 135 plate appearances, which currently susses out to a disappointing 46 wRC+. He’s accompanied that with a ground-ball rate (58.0%) and a hard-hit rate (20.7%) that are both on track to decrease for the third consecutive year.

The team’s main depth player at the position is Carlos Gomez, who also hasn’t provided a ton of production when looking at his overall performance. His three-run home run against the Washington Nationals on May 23rd came at the perfect time, but the veteran is hitting .205/.280/.370 with a 31.0% strikeout rate and 76 wRC+ since getting promoted from Syracuse.

What can the Mets do about this roster issue? There are some options available at Triple-A in Rajai Davis, Gregor Blanco, and Aaron Altherr, but it’s not like any of those players are a surefire fix (or a fix at all). BVW could also investigate getting some external help. However, with Noah Syndergaard hitting the injured list with a hamstring strain, there may be more important issues to deal with if New York still plans on trying to compete.

This brings us back to the Mets acquiring Broxton from the Milwaukee Brewers in the first place over the winter. When that transaction was announced, it was made known the organization felt comfortable with their outfield mix, and more specifically, in center field. Although the defense seemed solid between Broxton and Lagares, there wasn’t a whole lot of offensive credibility. That’s shown in a very noticeable way over the last two-plus months.

It’s not as if everything would’ve been solved by just signing A.J. Pollock, who has dealt with more injury issues of his own. However, it would’ve made more sense to pursue a center fielder with a little more of a track record. The benefit of hindsight if obvious here, but still, the Mets’ worst-case scenario with this specific position is unfortunately coming true. And since the squad hasn’t performed to expectation, Callaway is forced to potentially sacrifice even more outfield defense in order to get certain bats into the lineup.

That seems like a bold strategy, Cotton. We’ll see how it works out for them.

The post Mets’ Center Field Situation Has Turned Into Worst-Case Scenario appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

With a few of important pieces seemingly returning from the disabled list in the next few weeks (Robinson Cano, Brandon Nimmo, Justin Wilson), the Mets will have a few tough roster decisions to make. Realistically, the first move will be either Cano or Nimmo being activated and one of the extra bullpen arms being demoted, as the Mets carry eight relievers heading into their brief home-stand against St. Louis.

After the obvious first move, some tough decisions come. One can assume a struggling reliever will be demoted in favor of a returning Justin Wilson, so lets assume that. The real intrigue comes with whichever position player is left to be activated, either Nimmo or Cano, and who the corresponding move will be. One might go right to the players who began the year in Syracuse, Carlos Gomez and Adeiny Hechavarria, but Hechavarria has performed reasonably well and Gomez has proven to be a leader on the team, and a spark-plug to a team that otherwise looked dead in the waters of Miami Beach after a three-game sweep before his arrival.

Now we look at the bench players with options: Dominic Smith, JD Davis, and Tomas Nido. Nido is the backup catcher, so he is safe. J.D. Davis has performed well, so one can assume he is also safe. Dominic Smith is reaching his full potential at the plate, and serves as a defensive replacement at first base for Pete Alonso in late innings, so he is safe too.

Now, its time to turn to the veterans on the ends of their deals: Todd Frazier and Juan Lagares. Frazier is absurdly hot, and has effectively won the starting third base job for the time being, so he likely isn’t going anywhere.

Lagares is on the last year of his deal, and brings value with his defense in center field. Well, he used to. According to Fangraphs, Lagares is at -3 DRS (defensive runs saved) in center field this season, easily the worst mark of his career. His UZR (ultimate zone rating) is a -1.7, which is also by far the worst mark of his career. To go along with sub-par fielding, Lagares has been dreadful at the plate, slashing .191/.260/.278 and posting a WRC+ of 45. In only 55 games and 124 at bats, Lagares has posted a -0.6 WAR for the season.

The man who would likely take his spot, Carlos Gomez, has posted a -1 DRS this season, with -1 in center field, a -1 in right field and +1 in left field. Gomez at the plate, however, is hitting .227/.297/.409 on the campaign, a WRC+ of 90, and has stolen three bases already compared to Lagares’ 2, who has appeared in far more games and had far more plate appearances.

Roughly, Lagares and Gomez’s production are not that far off from each other, at the plate, in the field, and on the base paths. Gomez’s energy seems to have ignite the Mets roster, and he has taken on the role of a leader in the organization. Lagares has been widely underwhelming and disappointing, and provides virtually nothing that Carlos Gomez doesn’t. Lagares is owed $9 million this year and $9.5 million option with $500,000 buyout for 2020.

There will be roster decisions to make fairly quickly for the Mets, and difficult ones at that. But without a doubt, the Mets must consider cutting ties with Juan Lagares and move forward without him. After all, Brodie Van Wagenen has said before that the Mets will always carry the best 25, an this mantra should be carried out now, as well.

The post Should Juan Lagares Be On the Hot Seat? appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Photo by Ed Delany, MMO

New York Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo went 2-for-4 with a triple and run scored for the St. Lucie Mets on Thursday night in his first rehab game. He led off and was the designated hitter for St. Lucie.

Nimmo, 26, was placed on the injured list on May 22 (retroactive to May). He is dealing with stiff neck as well as a bulging cervical disk, injuries that have lingered since mid-April.

The injuries likely played a role in his ugly .200/.344/.323 slash line to start the year. The former first round pick was hitting .241/.388/.463 when he was first pulled from a game with a stiff neck.

The Mets have gone with the struggling combination of Juan Lagares and Carlos Gomez in center.

The post Brandon Nimmo Collects Two Hits in First Rehab Game appeared first on Metsmerized Online.