Morning Briefing: Drew Smith Likely Needs Tommy John Surgery
Good morning, Mets fans!
Drew Smith spoke to the media on Friday, detailing that Tommy John surgery is on the table after imaging on his right elbow showed “pretty significant damage.” Smith was emotional talking about how he might not pitch for the Mets again, as he is set to be a free agent this offseason.
Smith has been a staple in the Mets’ bullpen since 2018, one year after he was acquired for Lucas Duda from the Rays. He’s spent his entire major league career with the Mets, accumulating a 3.48 ERA.
Drew Smith. John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
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On a brighter note, the Mets (40-39) defeated the Astros (40-41) 7-2 in their series opener. It was a breakout game for Jeff McNeil, who recorded three hits including a three-run homer in the sixth inning to extend the Mets’ lead from one to four. Pete Alonso and Tyrone Taylor also homered in the effort. With the win, the Mets are officially over .500.
David Stearns spoke to the media prior to the game. Stearns explained that the Mets may be buyers at the trade deadline if the circumstances are right, and that Steve Cohen will allow the team to add to the payroll if that’s the course Stearns wants to take.
The Florida Complex League Mets threw a combined no-hitter, their first since 2015. Joseph Yabbour, Wellington Aracena, and Brayhans Barreto were the pitchers who accomplished the feat, while Francisco Toledo was behind the plate.
Shintaro Fujinami made a rehab appearance for the St. Lucie Mets. It was a quick 1-2-3 inning, as he threw just six pitches, all of which were strikes.
Héctor Ríos Morales of the Latin Times spoke with Francisco Alvarez, who talked about his baseball experience and his future aspirations of winning a World Series.
Latest MLB News
Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda passed away on Friday at the age of 86. Cepeda had a very decorated career; he was an 11-time All-Star, including 10 times as a San Francisco Giant, and he was also a Rookie of the Year (1958), an MVP (1967), and a World Series winner (1967).
The Phillies placed both Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber on the 10-day injured list. In corresponding moves, the team called up Johan Rojas and reinstated Kody Clemens from the IL. Harper and Schwarber appear to have avoided major injuries after being removed from Thursday’s game, but they will still be sidelined for at least the 10-day minimum.
Per Grant Paulsen of MLB Network Radio, the Nationals are calling up top prospect James Wood. The 21-year-old Wood was sent from the Padres to the Nationals in the Juan Soto trade a few years ago, and is considered MLB.com’s no. 3 prospect in all of baseball. Wood has been mashing in Triple-A this year, where he has a 1.036 OPS in 51 games.
Reliever Nabil Crismatt announced on Instagram that he is signing with the Padres. It’s a minor league deal for Crismatt, who spent parts of three seasons with the Padres before pitching for the Dodgers this year. Crismatt allowed just two runs in seven major league innings with the Dodgers this year.
The Cubs called up former Met Jorge López to join their bullpen. López had a 3.76 ERA in 28 games with the Mets before being released after infamously tossing his glove into the stands and not holding back to the media following that incident. López appeared for the Cubs on Friday in his first game, tossing a scoreless inning of relief.
Latest on MMO
In the latest Mets Minors Recap, Michael Mayer highlights Brandon Sproat‘s latest brilliant outing, a scoreless six-inning performance for Double-A Binghamton.
Jose Iglesias‘s new song, “OMG,” released on Friday. Patrick Glynn breaks down what it has meant for this New York Mets team and posts a link to the anthem.
On the latest MMO Weekly, former MMO writer and current SI beat writer Pat Ragazzo joins Sal Manzo to discuss the Subway Series, the baby Mets, Grimace, and more.
On This Date in Mets History
1969: Tom Seaver became the all-time winningest pitcher in Mets history, surpassing lefty Al Jackson with his 44th career victory. It was his 12th victory of the 1969 season, a complete game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Birthdays: Yolmer Sánchez (32), Brooks Raley (36), Larry Stahl (83)
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