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The Mets (20-16) begin a two-game series against the Reds (18-17) tonight at Citi Field. Game time is 7:10 PM.
Today at Citi Field, Terry Collins spoke with the media about the possibility of naming David Wright captain. He said he thought about during the offseason, but never approached Sandy Alderson with it, as he didn’t want to put Wright in a tough position prior to the season. Also believes it may be awkward to name a captain before the player has a long-term deal in place.
However, despite never having a captain on clubs he has managed, Collins believes there is an upside to having a captain and would entail informing Alderson and Jeff Wilpon of his recommendation.
In regards to D.J. Carrasco, Collins spoke with the reliever about last night’s beanball incident and was told it wasn’t on purpose, which Collins believes. He is trying to get Carrasco more innings and couldn’t speculate on future because Carrasco has never had a certain role.
Is uncertain which role Jenrry Mejia will have on the ballclub in the future, but it’s possible he could land in the bullpen.
Johan Santana is the “guy he heard about” and has listened to several people tell him wait until you see him compete.
Regarding tonight’s lineup, he is trying to get some of the bench players like, Justin Turner and Mike Baxter some playing time while keeping others fresh.
Has no update on Josh Thole, as doctors are still reviewing his medical situation.
This morning for Single-A St. Lucie, Chris Young went 5 2/3 innings and allowed three runs on seven hits and struck out two.
Yesterday, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York said Young is expected to join Buffalo’s rotation “with an eye toward a major league promotion about June 1.”
He’s pitching and recovering well, which, as was the case with Johan Santana, is the most important takeaway from these starts. Of course, whether or not Young can continue to recover from these starts remains to be seen.
Johan Santana (1-2, 2.92 ERA) will start for the Mets. Santana is coming off a no-decision against the Marlins in which he allowed three runs in six innings – all of which he allowed in the first inning. Santana is a perfect 4-0 with a 3.23 ERA in seven appearances and six starts in his career against the Reds.
Mike Leake (0-5, 7.11 ERA) will start for the Reds. Leake is off to an awful start to his season, leading the league with five losses and allowing 52 baserunners in only 31 2/3 innings pitched. In two career starts against the Mets, Leake is 0-1 with a 2.19 ERA over 12 1/3 innings.
SNY.tv’s Ted Berg chats with John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer to preview the Mets’ two-game set with the Cincinnati Reds.
New York Mets
1) Kirk Nieuwenhuis CF | Cincinnati Reds
1) Zack Cozart SS |
Jenrry Mejia has been promoted to Double-A Binghamton, and is expected to start Saturday for the B-Mets, the team announced.
On Monday, a source told Adam Rubin of ESPN New York the team will consider Mejia in a relief role, including his ability to start back-to-back days.
Mejia underwent Tommy John Surgery last May.
Earlier today, Terry Collins told WFAN that he is sticking with Frank Francisco because:
1) The rest of the bullpen has mostly been pitching well in their current roles.
2) and Frank Francisco has a history of success (as well as having pitched well at points this season) as a closer.
And so, he didn’t want to go to a bullpen-by-committee and start changing everyone’s roles, because, if they fail, he could have a total mess on his hands.
In other words, instead of asking everyone in the bullpen to change their routine and roles, he’d prefer to keep what’s working and instead ask just Francisco to make changes and see what he can do.
However, also I realize the game is what it is and these guys have it in their heads (thanks to the MLBPA’s handy work over the last 20 years) that closers matter and on-field roles are vitally important, probably because its help give everyone a dollar value. But, that wasn’t always the case. And, it seems the only way to get bullpens back to a more efficient and consistent place is to start changing them in the minors… which will probably never happen as well. Ugh.
To read more about why ‘Saves are stupid,” take time to read this outstanding post from Ted Berg at his blog, TedQuarters.
