MARCH 6, 2023•THESTAR.COM
Remaining Free AgentsNEW YORK (AP) — The 25 remaining free agents:
Could Mark Vientos be New York Mets Righty Designated Hitter Solution?Vientos hit two booming home runs against the Miami Marlins this weekend, and would give the Mets some additional power in the lineup.
MARCH 6, 2023•NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Tim Locastro - Making noise on basepathsLocastro went 2-for-3 with two doubles, a run scored, two RBI and a stolen base in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.
ImpactThe veteran reserve outfielder is 4-for-4 on steal attempts this spring while going 6-for-17 (.353) at the plate through nine spring appearances. Locastro is fighting for a spot on the Mets' bench this spring, but if he does make the 26-man roster he could have some fantasy appeal in deeper NL-only formats, as the speedster could exploit the new pickoff limitations and larger bases to become a late-game pest on the basepaths as a pinch runner and defensive replacement. The 30-year-old set a career high with 17 steals in 250 plate appearances for the Diamondbacks in 2019, and he's a career 39-for-44 on SB attempts in the majors.
MARCH 6, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Kodai Senga - Finds footing in spring debutSenga gave up one run on one hit and two walks over two innings while striking out two in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.
ImpactThe nerves showed for the Japanese import during his first game action in a Mets uniform as he walked the first two batters he faced, but Senga quickly settled in and retired Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado and Jordan Walker in order to escape the first-inning jam -- striking out the latter on his fabled "ghost" forkball. The 30-year-old righty will fill a mid-rotation role this season as the projected youngest member of New York's Opening Day rotation, working behind perennial Cy Young candidates Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer.
MARCH 6, 2023•ROTOWIRE
New York Mets' Jose Quintana Withdraws From World Baseball ClassicMets pitcher Jose Quintana has withdrawn from the World Baseball Classic.
MARCH 6, 2023•STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Jack Flaherty - Set to start MondayFlaherty (calf/illness) has been cleared to start Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
ImpactFlaherty is expected to cover around three innings or 45-to-50 pitches before giving way to southpaw Steven Matz, who is likely to handle a similar workload in relief. A bout with calf discomfort and then flu-like symptoms resulted in Flaherty's spring debut being pushed back a few days, but the 27-year-old right-hander looks well on his way to being ready to go for Opening Day.
MARCH 6, 2023•ROTOWIRE
José Quintana - Officially out for WBCQuintana (side) withdrew from the World Baseball Classic and will undergo testing Monday, Pat Ragazzo of SI.com reports.
ImpactIn a disappointing turn of events for the left-hander, Quintana will no longer participate in the upcoming WBC with his home country of Colombia, but he will now remain with Mets camp and get imaging on his injured left side. The 34-year-old signed a two year contract with New York in December after a resurgent 2022 campaign where he produced a 2.93 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with 137 strikeouts over 165.2 innings in 32 appearances with the Pirates and Cardinals. As the only southpaw in the projected rotation right now, a significant injury could prove to be a big blow to the Mets in the early season.
MARCH 6, 2023•ROTOWIRE
