FEBRUARY 20, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
NEW YORK METS 89-73 · 3RD IN NL EAST
89-73 · 3RD IN NL EAST
Steve Cohen on New York Mets: 'I Feel an Incredible Vibe Here' Steve Cohen is feeling an incredible vibe surrounding the 2023 New York Mets.
Kodai Senga gives teammates a look at signature 'ghost fork' during first live batting practice of spring PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Kodai Senga doesn’t quite know who started calling his forkball a “ghost fork” but he knows he heard the term about a...
FEBRUARY 19, 2023 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM
Senga ghosted Mets teammates with signature pitch PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- When Kodai Senga grips his signature “ghost fork” pitch, he spreads his hand wide, placing his index finger on the o...
FEBRUARY 19, 2023 • MLB.COM
Starling Marte - Returning from double-groin surgery Marte disclosed Sunday that he underwent surgery to repair separated tendons of both of his groin areas during the offseason, but he anticipates being ready to go for Opening Day,...
Impact Marte has arrived at Mets camp before position players were scheduled to report, but he looks as though he'll be limited in the early stages of spring training since he's not yet back to full strength. The pair of procedures prompted him to forgo playing with the Dominican Republic in this spring's World Baseball Classic, and he'll most likely miss time to start the Mets' Grapefruit League slate while he continues his ramp-up program. According to Tim Britton of The Athletic, manager Buck Showalter said the groin injuries played a role in Marte's involvement in the running game being more limited in 2022 compared to previous years, but the skipper is hopeful the 34-year-old can be more aggressive on the bases in 2023 once he's back to 100 percent health. Marte also played through a fractured finger down the stretch last season, but he appears to have made a full recovery from that injury.
FEBRUARY 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
For Verlander, this is 40: A shot at 300 wins We know the numbers with Justin Verlander by now. Everybody does. He has won three Cy Young Awards -- including last season, 11 years after...
FEBRUARY 19, 2023 • MLB.COM
John Curtiss - Building velocity in side sessions Curtiss (elbow) completed a "relatively heavy winter throwing progression" before reporting to spring training and has built his fastball velocity back up to the mid-90s during sid...
Impact Though Curtiss is 17 months removed from Tommy John surgery and reported to camp seemingly without any restrictions, the Mets' plan for the early stages of the spring is to have him sharpen his command in bullpen sessions before clearing him for his Grapefruit League debut. When he was last healthy during the 2021 campaign, Curtiss proved to be a reliable setup option between stops with Miami and Milwaukee, as he accrued a 3.45 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 44:12 K:BB in 44.1 innings. After joining the Mets last April on a one-year, $770,000 contract, Curtiss showed enough progress in his rehab for the team to keep him on the 40-man roster by exercising his $775,000 team option for 2023. He'll still have to fight for a spot in the Mets' Opening Day bullpen, but barring any setbacks in his return from surgery, Curtiss looks to have an inside path to a 26-man roster spot.
FEBRUARY 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
After watching ex-Yankees reliever in showcase, Mets aren't interested The Mets have only one left-hander in their bullpen.
FEBRUARY 19, 2023 • NJ.COM
Khalil Lee - Will report to MiLB camp March 2 Lee will report to minor-league camp on March 2, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.
Impact Lee was originally scheduled to report to the major-league clubhouse at some point this week, but instead the outfielder will not be in camp until the Triple-A portion of the season. He was recently designated for assignment and outrighted off the 40-man roster, and he's currently undergoing investigation into allegations that he physically and verbally abused his ex-girlfriend.
FEBRUARY 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Francisco Lindor Played Through Appendix Issue in 2022 Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor played through an appendix issue in 2022.
FEBRUARY 18, 2023 • KANSASCITY.COM
DeGrom delay shows potential peril for new Rangers pitchers
The Texas Rangers added a lot of proven starting pitchers during the offseasonFEBRUARY 18, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Francisco Lindor - Played through appendix issue Lindor had been dealing with discomfort dating back to August of 2021, but he's feeling better after undergoing an appendectomy in October, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.
Impact The discomfort evidently wasn't a major issue, though it reached a new level at the tail end of last season. Lindor's 125 wRC+ in September and October was a near match for his 128 mark over the rest of the year, so it doesn't look as though the pain showed up in his stats. It's possible that putting the problem behind him allows for even better numbers going forward, but it would probably be unwise to expect a significant difference.
FEBRUARY 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Joey Lucchesi - Will be stretched out in camp Lucchesi will be stretched out as a starter in spring training, indicating he could begin the regular season in the rotation at Triple-A Syracuse, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports...
Impact The Mets have five veteran starters on guaranteed contracts, which means when everyone is healthy, depth options like Lucchesi will either work out of the big-league bullpen or get stashed in Syracuse. As the 29-year-old lefty has minor-league options remaining, the latter route seems more likely to begin the season. Lucchesi didn't pitch at all in the majors last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery but made eight of his 11 appearances for the Mets in 2021 as a starter, posting a 4.46 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 41:11 K:BB over 38.1 innings.
FEBRUARY 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Elieser Hernandez - Staying stretched out Hernandez will get stretched out as a starter during spring training but is expected to begin the regular season in the rotation with Triple-A Syracuse, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com r...
Impact The Mets have five veteran starters on guaranteed contracts, which means when everyone is healthy, depth options like Hernandez will either work out of the big-league bullpen or get stashed at Syracuse. As the former Marlin has minor-league options remaining, the latter route seems more likely to begin the season. Hernandez made 10 of his 20 appearances for Miami last season as a starter, but his lack of plus stuff and difficulties keeping the ball in the park mean a long-relief role is likely his best path to a consistent spot in the majors.
FEBRUARY 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Tylor Megill - Will remain starter for now Megill will be stretched out as a starter in camp but is likely to begin the regular season as part of Triple-A Syracuse's rotation, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Impact The Mets have five veteran starters on guaranteed contracts, which means when everyone is healthy, depth options like Megill will either work out of the big-league bullpen or head down to Syracuse. As the 27-year-old right-hander has minor-league options remaining, the latter route seems more likely to begin the season. Megill appeared in 15 games (nine starts) for the Mets in 2022 and was the team's Opening Day starter, posting a 2.43 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 36:8 K:BB in 33.1 innings over six starts in April and May before injuries put him off course the rest of the way.
FEBRUARY 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
David Peterson - Will be stretched out in camp Peterson will be stretched out as a starter in spring training, indicating he could begin the regular season in the rotation at Triple-A Syracuse, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports...
Impact The Mets have five veteran starters on guaranteed contracts, which means when everyone is healthy, depth options like Peterson will either work out of the big-league bullpen or get stashed in Syracuse. As Peterson has minor-league options remaining, the latter route seems more likely to begin the season. The 27-year-old southpaw made 28 appearances (19 starts) for the Mets in 2022 with a career-high 27.8 percent strikeout rate and solid 3.64 FIP, and he could be the first pitcher called upon should injuries hit the rotation.
FEBRUARY 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Eduardo Escobar - Looking to rebound from tough year Escobar was dealing with an off-field family issue last season that impacted his performance, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
Impact "It was really hard," Escobar said this week. "I love baseball and respect my teammates. My problems are my problems. And I try to separate my problems from the job. But it was really hard throughout the season, especially when you're coming to a big team as a new player. It led to trying too much." The 34-year-old still slugged 20 home runs in 2022 for the fifth time in his career, but his .725 OPS was his lowest over a full season since 2016. The issue got dealt with in August, and Escobar's .321/.385/.596 slash line in September and October suggests he regained his focus in spades. He has extra incentive to rebound in 2023 as well -- prospect Brett Baty will be pushing for the starting job at third base this summer, and Mets owner Steve Cohen could potentially pursue free-agent-to-be Manny Machado next winter.
FEBRUARY 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Francisco Álvarez - Expected to begin year at Triple-A Alvarez will likely begin the season with Triple-A Syracuse, Abbey Mastracco of The New York Daily News reports.
Impact The Mets have two more experienced catchers ahead of him on the depth chart in Omar Narvaez and Tomas Nido, so the club figures to send Alvarez back to the minors to work on his defense and gain some confidence. The 21-year-old is fully recovered from October ankle surgery however, and a big spring could force the organization to re-consider its plans for the top prospect. "You always want players to make you think about what if?" manager Buck Showalter said Friday. "Not everybody in camp can make the club, that's just how it is. But we know Nido and Omar are going to be our catchers and we'll see where Francisco fits in that mix." Even if he isn't on the Opening Day roster, Alvarez figures to be back in the majors at some point this season, potentially seeing at-bats at DH in addition to his work behind the plate.
FEBRUARY 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
How Eduardo Escobar fits into the Mets' interesting third base picture in 2023 and beyond After dealing with a personal issue last season, Eduardo Escobar is happy again and ready to compete for the Mets' starting third base job.
FEBRUARY 18, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM
After a nearly immaculate output last year, the Mets don't want Edwin Díaz to change in 2023 'I will keep throwing my two pitches, my fastball and my slider — and keep striking out everybody,' Díaz said this week.
FEBRUARY 18, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Remaining Free Agents NEW YORK (AP) — The 41 remaining free agents:
FEBRUARY 18, 2023 • THESTAR.COM
Mets Notebook: Francisco Alvarez may begin season in Triple-A, Rene Rivera retires PORT ST. LUCIE— Mets’ spring training isn’ t lacking any star power but a certain 21- year-old catcher has drawn particular interest from fa...
FEBRUARY 18, 2023 • DENVERPOST.COM
Mets Notebook: Francisco Alvarez may begin season in Triple-A, Rene Rivera retires PORT ST. LUCIE— Mets’ spring training isn’ t lacking any star power but a certain 21- year-old catcher has drawn particular interest from fa...
FEBRUARY 18, 2023 • TWINCITIES.COM
Buck Showalter Touches on Plan for Francisco Alvarez Mets manager Buck Showalter talked about the plan for top prospect catcher Francisco Alvarez.
FEBRUARY 17, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
For Mets' rotation depth, staying ready is key PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Buck Showalter prefers his players not to hold things inside, so in private meetings, he attempts to draw emotions o...
FEBRUARY 17, 2023 • MLB.COM
Mets' Scherzer, Verlander together for 1st time since 2014
Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander are back together for the first time in nearly a decadeFEBRUARY 17, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
