Just Mets Digest - Week of February 19

Feb 25, 2024

What’s up with the Mets? 🍎

SATURDAY

The Mets lost to the Cardinals 10-5 in their Grapefruit League opener (Box)
Tylor Megill started for the Mets and allowed a run on two hits with three strikeouts in two innings
Mark Vientos and Brett Baty each went 1-for-2 at the plate with a run scored
The Mets committed two errors and allowed four unearned runs on the day

FRIDAY

Mark Vientos and Brett Baty will split the reps at third base during Grapefruit League games, Carlos Mendoza said on Friday
Shintaro Fujinami is leaving for Japan to tend to a personal matter, although Mendoza believes he will still be ready for opening day
Former Met Carlos Gómez is attempting to qualify for the Olympics as a cyclist (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

THURSDAY

David Stearns announced RHP Kodai Senga has a moderate strain of his posterior capsule in his shoulder (Story)
Even though he’s likely to miss the entire year recovering from a torn ACL, manager Carlos Mendoza would like Ronny Mauricio to be around the Mets during the season (Newsday)
Adam Ottavino is working to improve upon his ability to hold runners on-base (MLB.com)

WEDNESDAY

Carlos Mendoza told reporters that the coaching staff has been mindful of telling closer Edwin Díaz to “pull it back” in spring after missing a full season in 2023
Carlos Beltrán, Edgardo Alfonzo and Darryl Strawberry will serve as guest instructors for the club during Spring Training

TUESDAY

One report on Tuesday suggested that C Francisco Álvarez was close to a contract extension with the club (Gómez), while other reports contradicted that notion (SNY)
Álvarez himself spoke to reporters on Tuesday and claimed that his agents had not informed him about any news of an extension
SS Francisco Lindor spoke about his expectations for the 2024 Mets (NY Post)

MONDAY

The Mets held their first full squad workout in Port St. Lucie on Monday with Mets owner and CEO Steve Cohen in attendance
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza essentially said the plan is to shift Brandon Nimmo to left field, have Harrison Bader in center, and Starling Marte in right field
The Mets signed Luke Voit to a minor league deal, and invited him to big league camp

SUNDAY

Starling Marte told reporters he is fully healthy and doesn’t have to worry about his legs heading into camp (MLB.com)
Jake Diekman is hoping that what he learned while with the Rays translates to a successful season in Queens (MLB.com)
Pete Alonso pledged a donation to animal rescues for every home run he hits this season - he will donate $1000 per home run hit
The team will be sticking to a similar plan as last season when it comes to Kodai Senga’s usage this year (Athletic)
David Stearns remains confident the 2024 Mets are a playoff caliber team (Post)

Mets need(ed) to play it safe with Kodai Senga this spring (Surovich)
Did the Mets get the right players to address their run prevention problem? (Baron)
What would a contract extension for Francisco Álvarez look like? (MacLeod)
Spring Training is all fun and games, until the first injury (MacLeod)
The Mets must embrace an underdog mentality (Mears)
It’s about having faith between the Mets and Pete Alonso (Baron)

Before they signed Jorge Soler, the Giants tried to sign JD Martínez, but he turned down their offer (NBC Sports)
The Orioles feel Kyle Bradish’s non-surgical approach to his UCL strain is heading in the right direction (Baltimore Sun)
Kike Hernandez is currently choosing between four teams in free agency (Athletic)