Morning Briefing: Minter, Mauricio’s Statuses In Doubt

Good morning, Mets fans!

Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports that AJ Minter (rehabbing from hip labrum surgery) won’t be a lock to return Opening Day, but it’s a realistic goal. Meanwhile, top prospect Ronny Mauricio is not expected to return to actual games until mid-March, so we will have to wait just a little longer to see the young infielder’s next steps in his development.

On Tuesday, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza provided more clarity on several key topics, including Jose Butto and Tylor Megill‘s role on the 2025 team. Read MMO’s take on Mendoza’s comments here.

Latest MLB News

The manager of the World-Series-winning 2015 Royals is returning to Kansas City as a senior advisor to the general manager, per a team announcement. Ned Yost has managed more than 1,500 games for the Royals and won 746 of them.

Kenley Jansen, formerly of the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers, has a deal in place with the Los Angeles Angels for a reported guarantee of $10 million. Jansen, 37, will likely take over the closer role for the Angels with young flamethrower Ben Joyce either splitting closing duties or receiving a demotion to setup man. The New York Post’s Jon Heyman was first to report Jansen’s deal, while Joel Sherman, also of the Post, was first with the $10 million figure.

The Angels have claimed 30-year-old reliever Michael Petersen off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays. Petersen, who has spent time with the Dodgers and Marlins, posted a 5.95 ERA with 14 strikeouts over 19 2/3 innings. He’ll provide bullpen depth for the Halos. To make room on the roster, the team designated fireballer Kelvin Cáceres for assignment. Cáceres is 25 and still controllable. He has multiple minor league options remaining.

Phil Miller of the Star Tribune reports that the Twins have signed corner infielder Ty France to a one-year deal via free agency. Just two years ago, France was at least somewhat productive, but his performance fell off a cliff in 2024. The Twins are betting on a rebound, signing him for $1 million in hopes of a turnaround.

Multiple relievers have joined the Braves as non-roster invitees, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Justin Toscano. Two are former pitchers that have been in the Mets organization, in southpaw Jake Diekman and Dylan Covey. Chad Kuhl has also signed with Atlanta.

The White Sox have inked Michael A. Taylor to a one-year major-league deal, revealed Robert Murray of FanSided. For Taylor, something is definitely missing with the stick but the $1.95 million that the Sox are committing to him is more than fair given his elite defense. He placed in the 96th percentile for OAA (11) last year as a center fielder.

According to Astros beat reporter Brian McTaggart, the Astros have agreed to a minor league deal with longtime Met Luis Guillorme. With his bat in rapid decline, Guillorme was probably limited to just minor league deals on the open market. He’ll receive an invite to major league spring training.

Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic was the first to report Clayton Kershaw‘s presence at the Dodgers’ spring training camp in Arizona. No surprise there — Kershaw was always expected to remain a Dodger. Kiké Hernández is also in Arizona, according to Ardaya, and while his deal hasn’t been officially announced by the team, it’s expected to be for $6.5 million once finalized.

Latest on MMO

Mathias Altman-Kurosaki wrote an article ranking the NL East bullpens.

Elliot Teichman dove into lefty reliever Anthony Gose and his chances to make New York’s 26-man roster.

Jorge Eckardt looks at the 27t-best prospect in the Mets’ farm system in Edward Lantigua.

On This Date In Mets History

1992: Keith Hernandez appears on an episode of Seinfield. The episode features not just Hernandez but also fellow 1986 Met Roger McDowell.

Born on This Date: Frank Estrada (1948), Lenny Randle (1949), Dennis Springer (1965), Tim Redding (1978), Todd Frazier (1986).

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