Morning Briefing: J.D. Martinez Not Ready to Join Mets
Good morning Mets fans!
The time for J.D. Martinez is near, but not quite yet. Manager Carlos Mendoza said the veteran slugger won’t be able to join the team until after the team’s current road trip concludes on April 24. This means the earliest he could debut is April 26, the opener of a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Mets signed Martinez days before the season began, needing only $12 million to secure his signature. Martinez played in two games with the Low-A St. Lucie Mets before experiencing back tightness that required a cortisone shot.
J.D. Martinez, Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized
Martinez is coming off a season in which he had 33 home runs, 103 RBIs, and an OPS of .893. He also experienced the same back tightness in 2023 with the Dodgers.
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Gino DeCaro writes a piece for Joe D, MMO’s founder, one year after his passing.
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David Stearns was complimentary of top prospect Christian Scott’s performance in Triple-A.
Max Kranick pitched 2 ⅔ innings of shutout baseball in his rehab start for Double-A Binghamton.
The Brooklyn Cyclones placed minor league pitcher Calvin Ziegler on the 7-day injured list. The right-hander started his season with 13 strikeouts in only six innings.
Latest MLB News
The Dodgers called up top-100 prospect Andy Pagés, one of a number of transactions they made Tuesday.
The Rangers called up former No. 2 selection Jack Leiter for his MLB debut Thursday.
The Astros are giving former top prospect Forrest Whitley his chance in the majors.
Hall of Fame manager Whitey Herzog died at 92. Read about his connection with the 1969 champion Mets.
The Braves are signing Yuli Gurriel to a minor league contract.
The Braves placed Ozzie Albies on the 10-day IL with a toe fracture.
Former Dodger pitcher Carl Erskine died at 97.
Latest On MMO
Chris Bello wrote about Harrison Bader’s clutch hit on Monday.
Edwin Diaz notched his 100th save as a Met Monday. Patrick Glynn wrote about the star closer.
Rickey Keeler evaluates Boston Baro, who Mets Minors’ ranks as the No. 18 prospect in the Mets organization.
Tyler Antonelle focuses on the prowess of the Mets pitching in the Mets Minors weekly report.
This Day in Mets History
1964: The Mets played their first game at Shea Stadium, losing 4-3 to the Pirates.
1970: A young Nolan Ryan pitched his first career shutout, striking out 15 Phillies in the victory.
Birthdays: Jed Lowrie (40), Gary Bennett (52)
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