FEBRUARY 28 • SYRACUSE.COM
Central NY native Tim Locastro signs with MLB club LoCastro, an Auburn native, spent last season with the New York Mets and their AAA affiliate in Syracuse.
Hits second homer Locastro went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Sunday's 9-1 loss to the Phillies.
Impact Locastro's homer was one of just two hits for the Mets in this contest. He's hit two long balls in each of his last four major-league seasons. The outfielder batted .232 with a .731 OPS, three RBI, 13 runs scored and six stolen bases over 67 plate appearances in the majors in 2023, once again filling a bench role when healthy.
OCTOBER 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Gets start versus lefty Locastro is starting in left field and batting ninth in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mets, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Impact Jeff McNeil is in right field while DJ Stewart sits out against lefty Braxton Garrett, opening up left field for Locastro. Locastro has actually been much better against righties (.883 OPS) than lefties (.610 OPS) this season, albeit in very limited samples.
SEPTEMBER 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Activated, starting Saturday Locastro (thumb) was activated from the 60-day injured list and is starting in center field, batting ninth Saturday versus Atlanta, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Impact Locastro will make his return to the lineup for the first time since April following back spasms and a torn ligament in his thumb. The 31-year-old has gone hitless over seven major-league at-bats this season.
AUGUST 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Activation coming soon Locastro (thumb) is hoping to be activated before Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader or ahead of Sunday's game against Atlanta, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Impact Locastro initially landed on the injured list in mid-April with back spasms, but was forced to miss multiple months after undergoing surgery in May to repair a torn right thumb. The 31-year-old went 3-for-19 with two runs scored during his rehab assignment.
AUGUST 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Starts rehab assignment Locastro (thumb) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday.
Impact Locastro had surgery to repair the torn UCL in his right thumb back in late May but is finally game-ready again. The utility player should be an option for the Mets' roster before the end of the month.
AUGUST 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Needs surgery for thumb tear Mets manager Buck Showalter announced Tuesday that Locastro will require surgery to repair the torn UCL in his right thumb, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.
Impact Locastro suffered the injury last week, just as he was nearing the end of his recovery from a back issue. He has already been moved to the 60-day IL and there is currently no estimated timetable for his return.
MAY 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Transferred to 60-day IL The Mets transferred Locastro (back/thumb) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list on Friday.
Impact This move clears out a 40-man roster spot for Gary Sanchez, who is joining New York's major-league roster Friday. Locastro originally landed on the injured list April 17 due to a lingering back issue and then recently suffered a UCL sprain in his right thumb. There is currently no timetable for his return.
MAY 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Starting up rehab assignment Locastro (back) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Single-A St. Lucie on Sunday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Impact Since he's been on the 10-day injured list for just under two weeks due to back spasms, Locastro will presumably require only a few games in the minors to prove he's healthy. Whenever the Mets choose to activate him, Locastro will be deployed mostly as a pinch-runner or late-inning defensive replacement.
APRIL 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Placed on IL with back spasms Locastro was placed on the 10-day injured list by the Mets on Tuesday with back spasms, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Impact Locastro will be out at least a week-plus while dealing with the back injury. Brett Baty has been officially recalled from Triple-A Syracuse as the corresponding transaction.
APRIL 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Steals base in win Locastro pinch ran for Mark Canha in the ninth and stole his fourth base of the year Sunday in a win over the Athletics.
Impact Locastro replaced Mark Canha on first base after he walked and took second for his second stolen base in as many days. The 30-year-old has garnered one start so far this year and is primarily being used as a late-game pinch-runner.
APRIL 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Canha HR, Nimmo RBI double spark Mets past Athletics 3-2
Mark Canha homered leading off the seventh inning and Brandon Nimmo followed with an RBI double with two out that scored pinch-runner Tim Locastro as the New York Mets rallied to b...APRIL 15, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ex-Yankees OF never showed this knack in Bronx, but Mets are amazed by it Tim Locastro played 47 games with the Yankees in 2021 and 2022.
APRIL 5, 2023 • NJ.COM
Included on Opening Day roster The Mets selected Locastro's contract prior to Thursday's game in Miami.
Impact Locastro's addition to the Opening Day roster was a foregone conclusion after his main competition for a reserve outfield role, Darin Ruf, was designated for assignment Monday. While all of Starling Marte, Mark Canha, Brandon Nimmo and Tommy Pham are healthy and available, Locastro doesn't project to receive many starts and will likely see most of his opportunities as a pinch runner and late-inning defensive replacement.
MARCH 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Mets cut Ruf following failed trade, set opening day roster
Darin Ruf has been cut by the New York Mets as the team set its opening day rosterMARCH 27, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wins bench role Locastro will begin the season on the Mets' 26-man roster, beating out Darin Ruf for the final spot on the bench, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
Impact Locastro offers a speed threat that none of the other contenders for the spot possesses, something that could end up being very useful for the Mets given the rule changes MLB made this offseason to boost basestealing. The 30-year-old's .227/.325/.331 career slash line isn't very appealing from a fantasy perspective, however. Locastro should primarily see action late in games as a defensive replacement and pinch runner.
MARCH 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Goes yard Saturday Locastro went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.
Impact Getting the start at DH and hitting leadoff, Locastro took Rafael Montero deep in the seventh inning for his first homer of the spring. The 30-year-old speedster has had a very good camp, going 13-for-38 (.342) with six steals in six attempts, and with Brandon Nimmo (ankle) suddenly looking iffy for Opening Day, the Mets might need more outfield depth early in the season, increasing Locastro's chances of landing a spot on the 26-man roster.
MARCH 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Tim Locastro Gives Mets Much Needed Outfield Depth The Syracuse native is off to a blazing hot start this Spring Training for New York.
MARCH 14, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Barehanded in the box: A peek inside this 'brotherhood' PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Right away, Tim Locastro noticed. Batting second in the Mets’ Grapefruit League opener last month, Locastro watched...
MARCH 13, 2023 • MLB.COM
Making noise on basepaths Locastro 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.
Impact The 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
Four Former Yankees Sign With New Teams on Minor League Deals Tim Locastro is one of four players that signed a minor league deal with a new team on Monday after spending time in the Yankees organizatio...
JANUARY 10, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
New York Mets Sign Tim Locastro to Minor League Deal The Mets have signed Tim Locastro to a minor league deal.
JANUARY 9, 2023 • KANSASCITY.COM
Lands deal with Mets Locastro agreed Monday with the Mets on a minor-league deal, Pat Ragazzo of SI.com reports.
Impact After spending the 2022 season in the Yankees organization, Locastro will stick around in New York for the upcoming season, albeit in a different borough. The 30-year-old owns a lowly 82 wRC+ over 549 career MLB plate appearances, but he ranks among the fastest players in baseball and offers the ability to play all three outfield spots. He'll be attending spring training as a non-roster invitee, but Locastro could be in the mix to make the Mets' Opening Day squad as a pinch-running specialist and late-inning defensive replacement off the bench.
JANUARY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Enters open market Locastro rejected an outright assignment to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and elected free agency Thursday.
Impact Locastro saw action in 38 games for the Yankees last season and went 8-for-43 with two home runs, four RBI and eight stolen bases. He'll likely have to settle for a minor-league deal in order to find a new team for 2023.
NOVEMBER 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Optioned to Triple-A Locastro was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday.
Impact With DJ LeMahieu (toe) getting reinstated from the 10-day injured list Friday, Locastro will be the one booted off the major-league roster. Since being promoted at the end of August, Locastro has made just nine plate appearances and recorded a hit during two of them.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
