Morning Briefing: Mauricio Will Not Be Ready For Opening Day

Good morning, Mets fans!

Early on Sunday morning, Anothony DiComo of MLB.com reported that Ronny Mauricio will not appear in any spring training games this preseason. Additionally, the 23-year-old will not start the season on time.

However, there is no need to press the panic button, Mets fans. As Mauricio is recovering from multiple knee surgeries, the Mets are making sure to take things slow with the young player.

The infielder made his debut in 2023 and showed some flashes of prowess at the plate. He hit .248/.296/.347 over 108 plate appearances.

In December of 2023, Mauricio tore his anterior cruciate ligament while playing in the Dominican Winter League. Later in August 2024, he had a follow up procedure to remove scar tissue in the same knee.

Latest Mets News

Mike Puma of the New York Post reported that Mets officials are discussing utilizing Tylor Megill in the starting rotation to begin the season with Paul Blackburn in the bullpen.

Heading into thei 2025 campaigns, there have been questions as to where these two arms will fit in among this team. Injuries to starting pitchers Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas has left even more questions marks. Per Puma’s report, Megill may get an opportunity to start games due to these injuries.

Both Megill and Blackburn have spent the majority of their MLB careers as starters.

Megill only had one reflief appearance in 2024, and in 2023 all 25 of his mound appearances were starts.

For Blackburn, you have to go back to 2023 to find his last relief appearance. Over the entirety of his career, Blackburn has 82 starts and 4 relief appearances.

ICYMI: Clay Holmes has been named the Mets’ 2025 Opening Day starter. The former New York Yankees reliever is now back on the mound as a starter, and we won’t have to wait long to see him.

Clay Holmes has been named our Opening Day starter! pic.twitter.com/6nAUl6A5tE

— New York Mets (@Mets) March 14, 2025

The aforementioned pitching injuries paved way for Holmes to get the nod in this spot. However, he has done his part to earn this position. Holmes has only surrendered five hits over his 14.0 innings this spring training.

Latest MLB News

Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Atlanta Braves ace Spencer Strider is scheduled to start the team’s spring game on Monday.

This will not only be Strider’s first start of the spring, but it will be his first game action since repairing his damaged UCL last April. Strider led the MLB with 281 strikeouts and 20 wins in 2023.

Scott Merkin of MLB.com first reported that Joey Gallo was granted his unconditional release by the Chicago White Sox.

Later on Sunday, in a classic “self report,” Gallo tweeted that he aims to continue to his professional baseball career, now as a pitcher. The former outfielder has flashed a big arm in the outfield earlier in his career, and will now look to channel that strength on the mound.

Adam Leighton of Just Baseball reported that the Toronto Blue Jays and LHP Justin Bruihl agreed to a minor league deal.

Mark Polishuk of MLB Trade Rumors reported that Matt Strahm has resumed throwing and is questionable for opening day.

Latest on MMO

Kai Chang wrote an article outlining the Mets top options at second base after Jeff McNeil‘s injury.

James Villani wrote a prospect outlook on Mets third-overall prospect Carson Benge.

Brandyn Pokrass gives a positional oulook on the Mets middle infield heading into Opening Day.

On This Date in Mets History

Jose Iglesias hit a walk-off home run against the Miami Marlins to win 7-6 in a spring training game in 2024.

Born on This Date: Vance Wilson (1973), Juan Lagares (1989).

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