Meet the Mets
In yesterday's spring training matchup against the Cardinals, Sean Manaea struggled to find his groove, and the Mets' bats were mostly silent, save for a solo shot by Jorge Polanco. Manaea's fastball velocity has seen a dip, but Mets manager Carlos Mendoza remains unfazed, expressing confidence in his pitcher's ability to rebound.
The Mets have an exciting summer ahead as they plan to honor Carlos Beltrán by retiring his number 15, a tribute to his significant impact on the franchise.
Clay Holmes, fresh off his stint with the US team in the World Baseball Classic (WBC), returned to the Mets to ensure he gets ample playing time to gear up for the regular season. Meanwhile, Luis Robert Jr. made his spring debut, and the Mets are strategizing to keep him healthy throughout the year by managing his workload with regular rest days.
Bobby Ojeda was celebrated last night, taking home the prestigious Munson Award, a testament to his contributions and achievements.
Looking ahead, Nolan McLean is in the mix as a potential starter for the US team if they reach the WBC final on March 17. As the season looms, Laura Albanese highlights five Mets players, aside from stars Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto, who could be pivotal for the team’s success this year.
Around the National League East
Over in Braves camp, Grant Holmes turned heads with an impressive spring training performance, showcasing his potential for the upcoming season.
In WBC action, Aaron Nola shone brightly in Italy’s victory over Mexico, a performance that’s getting a lot of buzz. Meanwhile, bold predictions are circulating about what the 2026 season holds for the Marlins.
Federal Baseball is diving into Brad Lord’s expected role with the Nationals this year, exploring how he might fit into their pitching plans.
Around Major League Baseball
A 2013 Aaron Judge card recently fetched a staggering $5.2 million, highlighting the ongoing fascination with baseball memorabilia.
Mark DeRosa, reflecting on the WBC, noted how Italy’s win over Mexico was a fortunate turn for the US team, who had some initial confusion over the advancement rules to the quarter-final round.
As the WBC progresses, Clayton Kershaw will step down from the US roster after tonight’s quarter-final against Canada, with three new relievers joining the squad as pool play concludes.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman is known for his ability to stay focused amid the constant buzz surrounding his team.
In the world of WBC managers, Jeff Gold examines how their playing careers stack up, offering insights into their baseball journeys.
On the injury front, José Berríos was scratched from his spring start against the Phillies due to elbow inflammation, as revealed by a recent MRI.
Like Holmes, Matt Boyd is also leaving the US team to focus on his preparation for the season as a starter with the Cubs.
Finally, Jayson Stark is stirring the pot with ideas about adjusting the WBC's timing, having spoken to Tarik Skubal for his take on the subject.