The Mets (2-2) lost to the Tigers (2-2) by the score of 7-to-2 this afternoon.
For a complete boxscore, check out SNY.tv.
In case you missed it, here are a few notes:

Jon Niese took the loss allowing two runs on two hits and two walks, while striking out two in his first spring training start.
Daniel Murphy played [...]

The Game:
The Mets (2-1) take on the Tigers (1-2) today at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida, starting at 1:05 p.m.
The Lineup:

CF Angel Pagan
2B A. Green
LF Daniel Murphy
DH Bobby Kielty
1B Nick Evans
RF Jeremy Reed
C Robinson Cancel
3B Ramon Martinez
SS Alex Cora

The Pitchers:
Jon Niese is expected to start for the Mets. Schedule to follow Niese in today’s game [...]

Update, 1:39 pm:
The Associated Press writes, “Johan Santana says that his opening day start could be in jeopardy as he continues to battle tightness in his elbow.”
According to the report, “Santana said he would need another two or three batting practice sessions with two days off in between before making his first [...]

The Mets announced today that $5 tickets for the March 29th game between St. John’s and Georgetown at Citi Field will go on sale March 2nd at 10 a.m.
This “inaugural” game starts at 1:10 p.m., with gates opening at 10:40.
Tickets can be bought on Mets.com or by calling (718)507-TIXX.

The Mets have begun notifying those who registered for an opportunity to purchase Opening Day tickets as to whether or not they are eligible.
Those who weren’t selected, such as myself, received the following email:
Dear Mets Fan:
Thank you for participating in the online random drawing for the opportunity to purchase tickets to Opening [...]

Here is an interview I did with Ron Darling, earlier today, during which we talk about Mike Pelfrey, and what he needs to do this season to be successful; and how a good-on-paper team can translate in to wins; after which he brings me back to reality while discussing the team’s weaknesses:

To watch other videos [...]

The Mets have signed former LHP reliever Ron Villone to a minor-league contract.
The 39–year-old Villone was 1–2 with a 4.68 ERA in 74 appearances against the Cardinals last season, during which left-handed batters hit .176.

Following today’s game, Jerry Manuel said Johan Santana will miss his next start, scheduled Tuesday.
Santana skipped today’s start against Italy,
Manuel said he is not ‘concerned,’ and he would prefer to be ‘extra cautious,’ since it is ‘so early,’ and Santana is the ace of the staff.
According to Newsday, Manuel said Santana is not scheduled to [...]

The Cardinals beat the Mets today, 9-8, in Grapefruit League action in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
The Mets tallied three runs in a second-inning rally off Cardinals starter Todd Wellemeyer that was highlighted by an RBI double from Ryan Church.
They added a run in the eighth  on a Rob Mackowiak single.
Bobby Kielty brought home three more [...]

I’ll be watching the majority of the game from the Island Girl Tiki Bar today – after a long week, I’d like to just sit, and watch a real, live baseball game.
So, if you’re at the game, swing by and say hello.
Update, 4:55 pm:
I had a ton of fun out there.  Too much fun, probably, as [...]

The Game:
The Mets take on the Cardinals today at 1:10 p.m. in Grapefruit League action from Port St. Lucie. The game will be broadcast on SNY.
The Lineup:

2B Luis Castillo
P Livan Hernandez
SS Jose Reyes
1B Carlos Delgado
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
RF Ryan Church
LF Marlon Anderson
C Rene Rivera

The Pitchers:
Livan Hernandez begins his campaign to be the Mets’ fifth [...]

Update, 12:40 pm:
A scout just told me Sanchez was working with coaches in the bullpen, who were talking with him about how he snaps his knee back on his delivery and how it might cause him to lose balance.
Original Post:
Duaner Sanchez, Pedro Feliciano and Sean Green are all throwing in the back bullpen, under the [...]

Mike Pelfrey tossed two innings, while striking out four batters on 29 pitches during his outing against Team Italy this morning.
Francisco Rodriguez followed to walk one batter, but let up no runs and no hits, in one inning of work.
This morning, I interviewed Ron Darling about his upcoming book, The Complete Game, and was able [...]

I followed the beat writers over to Field 6 this morning to listen as they spoke with Mike Piazza, who is coaching with Team Italy, who is in Tradition Field to take on the Mets B-squad team.
The minute he started talking I had a huge smile on my face, unable to not think of the [...]

The Mets will play Mike Piazza’s Team Italy today in a B-squad game on Field 7 (the one cut like Citi Field), at 10 am.
Here is today’s lineup against Italy:

2B Andy GreenSS Jose CoronadoDH Fernando MartinezOF Bobby Kielty1B Nick EvansC Ramon Castro3B Jose ValentinOF Rob MackowiakOF Cory SullivanRHP Mike Pelfrey

…i have to do an interview [...]