Morning Briefing: Christian Walker Likely to Play Opening Day Against Mets

Good morning, Mets fans!

Per Astros manager Joe Espada, Christian Walker will get minor league at-bats beginning Saturday. He will do this instead of traveling to Houston on Sunday with the rest of the team, though Espada still expects Walker to be ready for Opening Day against the Mets. Walker has been recovering from an oblique injury and was uncertain to be ready for the start of the season, but it sounds like the Mets will face the slugging first baseman in the opening series.

Latest Mets News

The Mets defeated the Cardinals 3-2 in Friday’s spring training game. Clay Holmes threw 5 1/3 scoreless innings while Brett Baty hit a home run and a double, increasing his spring OPS to a Grapefruit League-leading 1.123.

The Mets optioned reliever Tyler Zuber to Triple-A Syracuse.

According to Tyler Boronski, a freelance reporter, the Mets signed outfilder Billy McKinney to a minor league deal. The Athletic’s Will Sammon confirmed this. McKinney spent time with the Mets’ big league club in 2021 and was last in the majors with the Pirates in 2024.

The Mets released The Pursuit: Part II on Friday, the second part of a documentary detailing the team’s pursuit of Juan Soto.

In a post on X, SNY announced that the MLB app is now the only location to stream SNY and the Mets on SNY.

Latest MLB News

The Orioles signed pitcher Kyle Gibson to a one-year contract. Gibson spent the 2023 season with the Orioles before heading to the Cardinals for the 2024 season. He had a 4.24 ERA in 30 starts for St. Louis.

Per Chris Cotillo of MassLive, a contract extension for Garrett Crochet prior to the regular season is not likely. Crochet said, “I think that right now, we’re just looking forward to getting through the season.”

The Braves announced that they selected Enyel De Los Santos, Héctor Neris, and Drake Baldwin to the major league roster.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Rockies infielder Thairo Estrada has a broken wrist and will miss four-to-eight weeks.

Nightengale also reported that the Brewers traded former Met Mark Canha to the Royals for cash or a player to be named later.

Commissioner Rob Manfred announced that former Dodgers pitcher Julio Urías will be suspended until the All-Star break for violating the league’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy.

Latest on MMO

Kai Chang writes about Luis Torrens succeeding in the starting catcher role this spring.

Jack Markowski breaks down the latest spring training start from Kodai Senga.

On This Date in Mets History

Born On This Date: Edwin Díaz (1994), Ike Davis (1987), Joe Smith (1984), Juan Uribe (1979), Jeremy Griffiths (1978), Cory Lidle (1972), Dan Boitano (1953).

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