Morning Briefing: New Home Run Derby Format Announced

Good morning, Mets fans! Try not to roll your eyes if anyone wishes you a Happy Bobby Bonilla Day.

Major League Baseball is tweaking the Home Run Derby rules. Eight hitters will start, with four advancing to the second round and ties will be broken by the longest home run. The semifinals will be bracket style with the top finisher of the first round facing the player with the fourth best first round score. The players who finish second and third in Round 1 will also square off for a spot in the finals.

The first two rounds will be 3 minutes or 40 pitches (whichever comes first) and one timeout. Players will then get three “bonus” outs, where they keep swinging until they make three more outs. (All non-home runs are outs.) A 425-foot homer or longer during bonus time will earn a player a fourth bonus out. The finals will use the same rules except they will be two minutes or 27 pitches.

Gunnar Henderson of the Baltimore Orioles was the first to announce that he will be a contestant.

Latest Mets News

The Mets battled back from a 4-0 deficit Sunday to tie the game with the Houston Astros on Brandon Nimmo‘s 100th career home run, but fell 10-5 in 11 innings when newly called up reliever Matt Festa gave up five runs in his Mets debut.

The Mets begin a four-game set with the Washington Nationals today at 6:45 p.m. ET. David Peterson (3-0, 3.67 ERA) faces MacKenzie Gore (6-7, 3.60 ERA).

Danny Torres, who hosts the Talkin21podcast, talked with Jose Iglesias about his Friday night post-game performance. “Oh my God, it’s oh my God,” the infielder told him.

Latest MLB News

Yankees outfielder Juan Soto said he may get an MRI or CT scan on his right hand today, per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. Soto said he felt pain and weakness while taking batting practice swings on Saturday. He was a late addition to the Yankees lineup on Sunday, then went 1-for-3 with two walks.

The Blue Jays (38-45) could be ready to trade starter Yusei Kikuchi, catcher Danny Jansen, DH Justin Turner and outfielder Kevin Kiermaier, according to a report from Bob Nightengale of USA Today. But Toronto intends to hold on to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette until at least the winter.

The Guardians have optioned Triston McKenzie to Triple-A and reinstated Gavin Williams from the injured list, per Mandy Bell of MLB.com.

Latest on MMO

Johnluke Chaparro wrote about the series finale loss to the Houston Astros.

John Wilson took a deep dive into Mark Vientos in the weekly statistical spotlight.

James Villani analyzed the slew of roster moves.

On This Date in Mets History

1993: Dwight Gooden homered off Charlie Hough, but also coughed up five home runs in a 7-5 loss to the Florida Marlins. Bobby Bonilla went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. Bonilla, 61, will collect $1,193,248.20 today and every July 1 until 2035 when this can hopefully be put behind us.

Birthdays: Michael Wacha (33), Craig Anderson (86)

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