Morning Briefing: Mets Set to Duel Slumping Reds

Good morning, Mets fans!

The Mets begin a series tonight that they likely thought would have mattered more only days ago.

They travel to Cincinnati to take on the Reds, who sit five games back of the third Wild Card spot after going 3-7 in their last 10. The San Francisco Giants are now the closest team to the Mets at four games back.

Still, it’s an important three-game series nonetheless for the Mets to maintain their decently sizable ground. David Peterson (8-5, 3.61 ERA) takes the hill at 6:40 p.m. ET on Friday against Andrew Abbott (8-5, 2.65 ERA).

Latest Mets News

Catcher Francisco Alvarez will be activated from the injured list ahead of the Reds series, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post. Alvarez sprained the UCL in his right thumb on Aug. 17 but will play through the injury despite surgery being needed later. After a brief rehab stint, capped by a grand slam, the Mets hope he can regain the form that saw him hit .323/.408/.645 over a 21-game stretch earlier this year.

The Mets announced a roster move by claiming pitcher Wander Suero from the Braves.

The Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 2-0, putting the Mets’ deficit in the NL East back to six games.

Pitching prospect R.J. Gordon was named the Double-A Eastern League Pitcher of the Month for August after posting a 2.08 ERA with 42 strikeouts across 34 2/3 innings.

In Double-A action, reliever Reed Garrett tossed a scoreless inning with two strikeouts for Binghamton, as noted by Mike Mayer.

Latest MLB News

A new wave of Japanese stars could be headed stateside in 2026. According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, right-hander Tatsuya Imai, along with sluggers Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto, may be posted by their NPB clubs. Scouts project Imai could command anywhere from $80-200 million, while Murakami, now 25, is drawing heavy attention after once breaking Sadaharu Oh’s single-season home run record.

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced that they selected the contract of catcher Ben Rortvedt and designated pitcher Alexis Díaz — Edwin’s brother — for assignment, with infielder Alex Freeland being optioned, per the team’s release.

Meanwhile, ESPN unveiled its updated September MLB broadcast schedule, which includes Mets vs. Cubs on Sept. 24 and exclusive coverage of the Wild Card Series beginning September 30.

Latest on MMO

Andrew Steele-Davis highlights the Mets’ series in Detroit on the latest edition of 3 Up, 3 Down.

On This Date in Mets History

Born on This Date: Pablo Reyes (1993), Chris Young (1983), Matt Watson (1978), Rod Barajas (1975).

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