Mets Morning News for August 4, 2020

Meet the Mets

After losing five straight games on the season and five straight to the Braves, the Mets prevailed with a 7-2 win to salvage the final game of their four-game series. As always, deGrom was great despite hitting a minor roadblock in the fifth, and he notched his first victory of the season. The Mets finally came through with runners in scoring position after their recent ineptitude, going 5-for-13 on the evening. Wilson Ramos launched his first home run of the year, and Michael Conforto picked up three hits.

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The Mets suffered a number of injuries in the win. Jeff McNeil was scratched ten minutes prior to first pitch after experiencing lower back tightness during batting practice. Amed Rosario (left quad tightness) and Robinson Cano (left groin tightness) both exited early. J.D. Davis was originally out of the lineup with a stomach illness, but he ended up in starting after McNeil was scratched.

Marc Carig explored why both Yoenis Cespedes and the Mets look small in the latest fiasco. (Paywall Alert)

Deesha Thosar discussed how multiple things can be true in the Cespedes situation.

This entire episode showed us one thing: The Mets are a magnet for drama.

Brandon Nimmo noted that he and several of his teammates heard that Cespedes’ agent informed the Mets of his impending opt-out.

Nimmo and Pete Alonso took no issue with the Cespedes opt out and wished him well.

SNY examined some potential lineups now that Cespedes has opted out.

Joel Sherman tried to figure out some solutions to the Mets’ early-season struggles.

Josh Harris is the safest potential buyer for the Mets, but he comes with one massive pitfall.

Hunter Strickland cleared waivers and was outrighted to the Mets’ Alternate Site.

Around the National League East

After last night’s game, the Braves announced that ace Mike Soroka suffered a torn right Achillies’ tendon during the game at Truist Park. He will miss the remainder of the season.

After another round of negative coronavirus tests and a week off from games, the Phillies were back in action. For their troubles, they were tasked with taking on the 7-1 Yankees and Gerrit Cole. It did not go well for Philadelphia, as they fell 6-3 at Yankee Stadium.

Their Tuesday game has already been postponed due to the weather. The teams will play a double header on Wednesday at Citizens Bank Park, with each team serving as the home team in one of the games.

Phillies outfielder Andrew McCutchen is angry over the Marlins’ COVID-19 outbreak, saying that his team “paid the price” for it.

To MLB, the Phillies not having any positive cases demonstrates that club-to-club transmission will not be high and their team was following health and safety protocols.

Derek Jeter defended the Marlins amid the coronavirus pandemic and blamed it on a “false sense of security”. He also threw Major League Baseball under the bus, saying the decision to play was their call and not on the team.

Marlins tests yesterday came back negative. After over a week off, they will play the Orioles on Tuesday.

After not playing since July 30, the Nationals return to action on Tuesday against the Mets. Patrick Corbin is expected to get the start, followed by Max Scherzer on Wednesday.

Around Major League Baseball

The four-game series between the Cardinals and Tigers has been postponed after a coronavirus outbreak on the Cardinals. To date, 13 people within the St. Louis organization (seven players, six staff) have tested positive.

With coronavirus spreading through baseball, so is the frustration that comes with it.

COVID-19 is knocking teams out of the park, but what will happen once the postseason begins?

Cubs outfielder Steven Souza Jr. ripped Rob Manfred over the way he has handled the coronavirus so far this season.

Reds’ star first baseman Joey Votto tested negative and was in the lineup for yesterday’s game.

Shelby Miller has opted out for the remainder of the 2020 season.

Yankees’ radio broadcaster John Sterling will return to the team on Wednesday after four days in the hospital.

In a press release, MLB announced that they have hired Michele Meyer-Shipp as their chief people and culture officer.

The “Field of Dreams” game at the famous movie site between the Cardinals and White Sox has been postponed until 2021.

White Sox pitcher Carlos Rodon departed his start early after experiencing left shoulder soreness.

The Angels have called up Jo Adell.

Shohei Ohtani has a grade 1-2 strain of the flexor pronator mass. He could potentially begin throwing again in 4-6 weeks, but he is still day-to-day as DH and is traveling with the team.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Allison McCague recapped the team’s pre-game roster moves and the bevy of injuries the team suffered before and during the game.

Steve Sypa reminisced about Pat Strange in his latest Prospect Retrospective.

Steve Sypa provided an update on the CPBL team, the KBO team, and the NPB team that the From Complex to Queens team has been following this year.

Episode 73 of From Complex to Queens looks at the impact minor leaguers have had to date in the MLB season.

This Date in Mets History

On this date in 1982, Joel Youngblood became the first (and, to date, only) major league player to register a hit with two teams in two different cities on the same day. He picked up a single off Fergie Jenkins in New York’s game against the Cubs while Frank Cashen was in the process of trading him for pitcher Tom Gordon. Youngblood was removed from the game, flew to Montreal to join his new Expos teammates, and picked up a hit off Steve Carlton after entering the game as a defensive replacement.