Morning Briefing: Lindor Ties Jeter on Home Run Leaderboard

Good morning, Mets fans!

After hitting two home runs in Friday night’s game, Francisco Lindor improved his career total to 260, matching him with Derek Jeter on the all-time leaderboard. Lindor is now tied for the fourth-most home runs all-time among players who spent 60 percent of their career playing shortstop. The Mets’ superstar now has 12 home runs on the year and will surpass Jeter with just one more long ball.

Latest Mets News

The Mets (35-22) defeated the Rockies (9-48) 4-2 on Friday night. Lindor recorded two home runs, Juan Soto had two hits including an RBI double and Edwin Díaz recorded the save with three strikeouts.

Prior to Friday’s game, the Mets sent down lefty Brandon Waddell, who pitched five innings on Wednesday to save the bullpen. In a corresponding move, they called up Chris Devenski.

Carlos Mendoza provided updates on two key injured pitchers. According to Mendoza, Paul Blackburn is “in play” to be activated and start a game in the upcoming series against the Dodgers. Meanwhile, Sean Manaea threw 20 pitches during a live batting practice on Thursday and threw an additional 15 pitches in the bullpen.

Will Sammon of The Athletic wrote about how Juan Soto began a ritual with the Mets outfielders to share an embrace after each defensive half-inning before heading back into the dugout.

Former Met Howard Johnson told Jay Horwitz that he underwent his 19th, and hopefully final, surgery on his foot and is moving around much better than he used to be able to.

Latest MLB News

The Braves signed former Met José Azócar to the major league roster and placed Stuart Fairchild on the injured list. Azócar had been with the Mets as recently as this week and had a .628 OPS in 12 games with the team.

The Angels officially reinstated superstar Mike Trout from the injured list. Trout played in the Angels’ game on Friday and went 1-for-5 while batting fifth.

Dodgers reliever Evan Phillips is undergoing Tommy John surgery and will miss the remainder of the season. Phillips had not allowed a run in seven games this season.

MLB announced that Opening Day in the Dominican Summer League will take place June 2 at the Boston Red Sox Academy, and that there will be a new playoff format starting this year.

Latest on MMO

David Melendi asks how Ronny Mauricio fits into the Mets’ plans.

On This Date in Mets History

1964: The Mets and Giants played the longest doubleheader in MLB history. It took nine hours and 52 minutes from the start of the first game to the conclusion of the second game, with the nightcap lasting a whopping 23 innings. The Giants won both games.

Born on This Date: Gerson Bautista (1995), Joe Orsulak (1962), Dwight Bernard (1952).

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