Author: MLB Baseball News, Scores, Standings, Rumors, Fantasy Games

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Mets 'close' to naming rest of starters following Tylor Megill's 'really good' outing

With nothing official just yet despite two days left of spring training, the Mets are "close" to announcing their complete starting rotation after injuries to some key players early on led to a rotation battle in camp, manager Carlos Mendoza said after Saturday's tie against the Washington Nationals.

Mainly between Tylor Megill, Griffin Canning and Paul Blackburn, New York's decision will come after all three have pitched one final time in camp as Megill and Blackburn both pitched on Saturday and Canning scheduled to pitch on Sunday against the Miami Marlins.

All three pitchers have shown sparks at times with Mendoza calling Megill's latest outing "really good."

"Another guy that came into camp ready to go and kind of show everyone the things that he needed to work on which was attacking the strike zone," Mendoza said about Megill. "And he did that every time he took the baseball. We saw it today, using all of his pitches, but not only getting ahead, but staying on the attack. That’s what we want to see out of him."

In his fourth and final start of the spring, Megill went 5.1 innings and allowed three earned runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five. The right-hander's final tallies in camp: 4.24 ERA (1.18 WHIP), 17 IP, 18 strikeouts and four walks.

Overall, Megill was pleased with how his spring went.

"Thought it went great," he said. "I’ve been throwing all my pitches for strikes, walk count has been low. I think that’s probably the biggest part. Throwing offspeed [pitches] for strikes and getting ahead of hitters. [That's] kind of been my main goal – attack the strike zone and get ahead."

For the time being, the 29-year-old has done everything he could've done to persuade the Mets to give him a roster spot on Opening Day. Now it's about "just waiting around to see what happens."

Meanwhile, on the backfields during New York's matchup against Washington, Blackburn also pitched. The right-hander threw five innings and 82 pitches, per Mendoza who didn't divulge any other information about the 31-year-old's outing.

However, in five Grapefruit League starts, Blackburn had a 5.68 ERA (1.34 WHIP) and nine strikeouts to six walks in 12.2 IP. Was it enough to earn him a spot?

"We’ll see tomorrow how they come in, but we’re close," Mendoza said. "We should be ready to announce this pretty soon."

(For what it's worth, the Mets have thrown out the idea of putting Blackburn in the bullpen to start the season, as well.)

Speaking of the bullpen

After the game, Mendoza also discussed his plans with some of his relievers who got off to late starts in spring due to injuries.

Regarding A.J. Minter, who pitched a clean inning on Saturday, the skipper said, "as of right now the goal is for Minter to be pitching on Monday. Whether that’s our game or the backfield, but that’ll be two out of three for him."

He added that if Minter is in a good spot tomorrow and again after his next appearance, "that'll do it for us" in terms of adding him to the Opening Day roster.

As for Dedniel Nuñez, he's also scheduled to go on Monday.

"We’ll go from there after that," Mendoza said.

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Aaron Judge's first spring training HR overshadowed by ninth-inning implosion in Yankees' 8-7 loss to Phillies

The Yankees blew a seven-run lead going into the top of the ninth inning and lost to the Philadelphia Phillies, 8-7, on Saturday afternoon.

Here are the takeaways...

-Still fighting for a roster spot and having made it this far, RHP Cam Schlittler took the ball for New York in his fifth and final appearance of the spring and left on a high note after going four scoreless innings while giving up just three hits, a walk and striking out two on 57 pitches (36 strikes). He relied on a lot of ground balls and induced two double plays to help him get through his outing.

Aside from one rough start, the 24-year-old pitched great for the Yanks during camp as a non-roster invitee following a solid minor league season in 2024 in which he pitched for all three levels, tallying a 3.36 ERA over 120.2 innings.

While Schlittler will likely begin the season in the minors to continue to improve upon his breakout year that included a 2.60 ERA in 17 Single-A starts, New York has got to be pleased with how its right-hander performed in his first taste of big league camp. And with so many injuries to the pitching staff already, Schlittler could just be a phone call away from making his MLB debut at some point this season.

-Without a ton of hits, the Yankees' offense was able to push across seven runs, spearheaded by a four-run fourth inning. Before that, though, Aaron Judge smashed a two-run home run in the third inning for his first spring training homer this season. The three-time MVP hasn't had his best camp, hitting .138 (4-for-29), so it was good to see him connect with one and leave the yard before the start of the regular season. Judge finished 1-for-3 with three RBI and a strikeout as the DH.

-New York's crooked number in the fourth was mostly due to poor pitching by Philadelphia who walked three in the inning and hit another. However, Jasson Dominguez had an RBI single in the frame to keep up his solid spring at the plate and J.C. Escarra, who after the game was informed that he officially made the Opening Day roster, also had a run-scoring hit.

Escarra really impressed in camp, hitting .333 with three home runs, eight RBI, seven runs scored to go along with a .936 OPS. All of this after the 29-year-old slashed .302/.403/.527 in 52 games in Triple-A in 2024 -- his first season back in the minors since 2021. He'll now make his MLB debut this season.

-The Yankees bullpen, including Mark Leiter Jr. (1 IP, 3 Ks), Geoff Hartlieb (1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 Ks), Colten Brewer (1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K) and Rob Zastryzny (1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K), was lights out. That's before Eric Reyzelman came in for the ninth inning looking to slam the door of a 7-0 lead. Instead, the right-hander allowed five earned runs on four hits and a walk before getting pulled for Leonardo Pestana.

With New York's lead shaved to two runs, Pestana couldn't seal the deal either, giving up a three-run bomb that pulled the Phillies all the way back and in front for the first time all day.

-The Yanks had the tying and winning runners on base in the bottom half of the inning, but came up empty.

Highlights

What's next

The Yankees play a Sunday matinee against the Tampa Bay Rays at 1:05 p.m. at George M. Steinbrenner Field. It will be their final home game of the spring before handing the keys to the Rays for the regular season.

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Tylor Megill strikes out five, Hayden Senger blasts HR in Mets' tie with Nationals

The Mets scored three runs early and added two more in the seventh inning to tie the Washington Nationals, 5-5, in their third-to-last spring training game on Saturday afternoon.

Here are the takeaways...

- Tylor Megill took the mound for the fourth and final time this spring, continuing to fight for a spot in the starting rotation. The right-hander made quick work of the Nationals, opening the game with back-to-back 1-2-3 innings. Megill let up a leadoff single in the top of the third inning, but got some help from Luisangel Acuña and Francisco Lindor on a double play, and closed the frame with a strikeout.

- Megill got into a little trouble in the fourth inning with runners on second and third base, but escaped the jam by striking out Alex Call for the third out. Megill found himself in a similar situation in the fifth inning after a walk, fielding error by Mark Vientos, and sac bunt gave the Nats runners on second and third. James Wood took advantage of the opportunity and drove in a run on a single, cutting the Mets' lead to 3-1. Megill struck out Amed Rosario for the second out and then chaos ensued, as the Mets executed a 2-6-3-2 putout to end the inning.

He allowed another leadoff single in the top of the sixth inning, and after his fifth strikeout, let up an RBI single to Keibert Ruiz, making it a 3-2 game. That would be the last batter Megill faced, as he finished the day after 5.1 IP, allowing three earned runs on six hits with five strikeouts, and two walks over 88 pitches.

- The Mets got to LHP MacKenzie Gore early, as Juan Soto walked, Pete Alonso singled, and Brandon Nimmo drove in a run on a ground-rule double. Vientos tacked on another run with a sacrifice fly and Jesse Winker made it a 3-0 game with an RBI single.

- RHP TJ Shook replaced Megill in the top of the sixth and got the second out quickly before more trouble ensued. A wild pitch, single, walk, and double from Jacob Young gave Washington a 5-3 lead. Shook got Wood to ground out to stop the bleeding after 22 pitches.

- A.J. Minter entered the game in the seventh and tossed a quick 1-2-3 inning with a strikeout, needing only 10 pitches.

- Hayden Senger, who looks to secure the backup catching job behind Luis Torrens, hit his first home run of spring training in the bottom of the seventh inning as the Mets trailed, 5-4. Lindor stayed in the game after some of the starters were pulled and delivered an RBI single to tie the game up at 5-5.

Who was the game MVP?

Nimmo, who finished the day 2-for-4 with an RBI and run scored. He's hitting .250 over 20 ABs this spring.

Highlights

What's next

The Mets play their penultimate spring training game on Sunday against the Miami Marlins at 1:10 p.m.

Griffin Canning is expected to take the mound at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie.

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Mets make flurry of roster moves, including sending Jakson Reetz and Donovan Walton to Triple-A

With Opening Day quickly approaching on March 27, the Mets made a handful of roster moves on Saturday morning.

Manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters from the dugout at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie that Jakson Reetz, Donovan Walton, José Ureña, Chris Devenski, Génesis Cabrera did not make the roster and are being sent to Triple-A Syracuse.

That bodes well for Luisangel Acuña and Hayden Senger's chances to make the team out of camp, but that has not officially been decided yet. It's possible New York could add other players over the next couple of days with many veterans opting out of deals before the start of the season.

Mendoza then clarified that relief pitchers Reed Garrett, José Buttó, and Danny Young were told they've made the Opening Day roster.

Dedniel Núñez, who missed the end of last season due to injury, didn't make his spring debut until March 17 and could need some more time to get ready. Therefore, the Mets bullpen would likely beEdwin Diaz, A.J. Minter, Reed Garrett, Ryne Stanek, Jose Butto, Danny Young, Max Kranick, and Paul Blackburn.

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Yankees adding Carlos Carrasco to 40-man roster, solidifying rotation spot

When the Yankees signed Carlos Carrasco to a minor-league contract in early February, there was no expectation of him appearing in the Opening Day rotation. But the door suddenly opened in camp, and the veteran right-hander walked straight through.

Defying the odds with an impressive spring training, the Yankees plan to add Carrasco to their 40-man roster on Saturday, according to YES Network's Jack Curry, in a move that all but guarantees him appearances in the Bronx for the foreseeable future.

The Yankees were running out of time to make a decision, as Carrasco's minor league deal included an opt-out clause that he could've triggered if he wasn't selected to the roster. If the 38-year-old had opted out, the team would've then been given 48 hours to either add him or allow him to become a free agent.

Carrasco didn't make the situation the least bit complicated. He's posted a stellar 1.69 ERA through five spring appearances, and struck out 15 batters across 16 innings. The encouraging performances can be attributed to offseason adjustments to his mechanics and arm slot.

While the roster spot was well-earned by Carrasco, the Yankees were in no position to pass on his services. The team is entering the 2025 season without Gerrit Cole (Tommy John surgery) and Luis Gil (lat strain), plus Clarke Schmidt (shoulder fatigue) is expected to begin the campaign on the injured list.

New York can only hope that Carrasco's spring success translates against the best major league talent. His 2024 season with the Cleveland Guardians was underwhelming, as he logged a bloated 5.64 ERA in 21 starts (103.2 innings). The results in 2023 were even worse -- he produced a ghastly 6.80 ERA in 20 starts for the Mets.

If the improvements to his arsenal are legitimate, Carrasco has a chance to resemble more of his 2022 self. That year in Queens, he recorded 29 starts -- his highest mark since 2018 -- striking out 152 batters in as many innings with a respectable 3.97 ERA.

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ICYMI in Mets Land: Carlos Mendoza on what he's seen from Luisangel Acuña; latest on Jeff McNeil

Here's what happened in Mets Land on Friday, in case you missed it...

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Mets vs. Nationals: How to watch on SNY on March 22, 2025

The Mets face the Nationals on Saturday at 1:10 p.m. on SNY.

Here's what to know about the game and how to watch...

Mets Notes

  • Tylor Megill takes the mound for the fourth time this spring, owning a 3.86 ERA with 13 strikeouts over 11.2 IP
  • Juan Soto owns a 1.183 OPS with four home runs over 33 spring at-bats
NATIONALS
METS

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Francisco Lindor, SS

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Juan Soto, RF

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Pete Alonso, 1B

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Brandon Nimmo, DH

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Mark Vientos, 3B

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Jesse Winker, LF

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Luis Torrens, C

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Luisangel Acuña, 2B

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Jose Siri, CF

What channel is SNY?

Check your TV or streaming provider's website or channel finder to find your local listings.

How can I stream the game?

The new way to stream SNY games is via the MLB App or MLB.tv. Streaming on the SNY App has been discontinued.

In order to stream games in SNY’s regional territory, you will need to have SNY as part of your TV package (cable or streaming), or you can now purchase an in-market SNY subscription package. Both ways will allow fans to watch the Mets on their computer, tablet or mobile phone. 

How can I watch the game on my computer via MLB? 

To get started on your computer, click here and then follow these steps: 

  • Log in using your provider credentials. If you are unsure of your provider credentials, please contact your provider. 
  • Link your provider credentials with a new or existing MLB.com account. 
  • Log in using your MLB.com credentials to watch Mets games on SNY. 

How can I watch the game on the MLB App? 

MLB App access is included for FREE with SNY. To access SNY on your favorite supported Apple or Android mobile device, please follow the steps below.  

  • Open “MLB” and tap on “Subscriber Login” for Apple Devices or “Sign in with MLB.com” for Android Devices. 
  • Type in your MLB.com credentials and tap “Log In.”  
  • To access live or on-demand content, tap on the "Watch" tab from the bottom navigation bar. Select the "Games" sub-tab to see a listing of available games. You can scroll to previous dates using the left and right arrows. Tap on a game to select from the game feeds available.  

For more information on how to stream Mets games on SNY, please click here. 

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Both of Phillies' spring roster battles are down to 1-on-1

Both of Phillies' spring roster battles are down to 1-on-1 originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Phillies on Saturday morning cut their spring training roster down to 29 players, leaving two men in competition for both the final bench role and spot on the pitching staff.

Kody Clemens and Buddy Kennedy are the last reserves left after Cal Stevenson was optioned to Triple A and non-roster invitees Christian Arroyo and Oscar Mercado were reassigned to minor-league camp.

Tyler Phillips and Michael Mercado are the last two pitching staff hopefuls remaining after Kyle Tyler was optioned to Triple A and Nabil Crismatt was reassigned to minor-league camp.

One of Clemens or Kennedy will make the Opening Day roster unless the Phillies trade for or sign someone who doesn’t have a role on another team and fits their bench better. Ideally, this bench bat would hit right-handed because the Phillies never pinch-hit a lefty for Trea Turner, Alec Bohm, Nick Castellanos or J.T. Realmuto. They do pinch-hit for Johan Rojas, who will make the team as the fourth outfielder, but when Rojas starts it means Marsh is on the bench to fill that role.

Clemens, who hits left-handed and is out of minor-league options, continues to make it a difficult call, though. He would obviously be claimed by another team if the Phillies don’t carry him on their Opening Day roster and try to pass him through waivers. Preserving depth is important, and we’ll know in a few days whether the Phillies deem it more important to keep Clemens in the organization or opt for the right-handed bat. If they do go with Clemens, then Edmundo Sosa would be their only viable right-handed pinch-hitting choice.

Kennedy, too, is out of options. The Phillies have gotten him 21 innings in left field this spring because they want their final bench player to be able to help out in the corner outfield if needed. Kennedy is just 6-for-35 (.171) but has three homers, a double and 10 walks.

Clemens is 14-for-46 (.304) this spring with two homers, a triple, two doubles and seven RBI. The Phillies know as well as any team that he’s a solid extra man because he’s delivered more than a few clutch hits in his two seasons in the organization. He was the distant second piece in their January 2023 trade with Detroit for reliever Gregory Soto but has turned out to be the longer-lasting acquisition.

The pitching staff decisions will depend on the readiness of Ranger Suarez (back stiffness) and Matt Strahm (left shoulder impingement).

Suarez seems like a longshot for the Opening Day roster given the month he missed last summer with back issues and the fact that his first regular-season start would be in just 12 days.

Strahm was scheduled to throw at the Phillies’ spring training complex on Saturday. How his arm responds to that session will determine the team’s path with him. Strahm is such an important member of the Phillies’ bullpen that it doesn’t make much sense to rush things unless he’s feeling 100 percent. You can get through the first two series against the Nationals and Rockies without one of your key bullpen pieces. You’re not getting through October without him, though.

Phillips has not pitched well in Grapefruit League play with an 8.38 ERA in six appearances, but he too is out of minor-league options and could serve temporarily as the bullpen’s long man if Suarez begins the season on the IL and Taijuan Walker assumes his spot in the rotation. Michael Mercado does have option years remaining.

If both Suarez and Strahm start the season on the injured list, Phillips and Mercado could both make the team. Or the Phillies could option Mercado and sign a pitcher let go by another team.

Just two more games to go in Clearwater before the 2025 Phillies finally head north.

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Giants roster moves provide rotation clarity at end of spring training

Giants roster moves provide rotation clarity at end of spring training originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants provided some roster clarity on their final day in Arizona as a couple of young pitchers got sent back to Triple-A. 

Left-hander Kyle Harrison was optioned along with right-hander Keaton Winn, leaving Hayden Birdsong and Landen Roupp in the mix for the fifth spot in the rotation. They also reassigned left-hander Joey Lucchesi to minor league camp, so Erik Miller is the only left-handed reliever left in camp.

Harrison spent all of last season on the big league roster, but his offseason was taken up by rehab for shoulder inflammation that he suffered after returning too soon from an ankle injury last summer. As camp was starting, a virus cost Harrison about 13 pounds, and he was behind all spring. 

Harrison threw three relief innings last weekend after Birdsong and Roupp had both gone five, and afterward, manager Bob Melvin admitted that there probably wasn’t enough time left in camp for Harrison to get fully up to speed. The 23-year-old will start 2025 in the Triple-A rotation as he gets his pitch count up.

Birdsong has a 0.75 ERA this spring and has yet to walk a batter, showing improved command to go along with a repertoire that’s led by a fastball that repeatedly hit 98 mph this spring. In 12 innings, he has 18 strikeouts.

Roupp pitched his way onto the Opening Day roster last spring and is doing it again. He has 14 strikeouts and one walk in 12 Cactus League innings and struck out 13 in five innings of a minor league game. If Roupp does not get the rotation spot, he’s a strong candidate to fill out the bullpen.

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

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Giants outfielder Encarnacion fractures left hand in spring training

Giants outfielder Encarnacion fractures left hand in spring training originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Giants didn’t get the news they had hoped for just days before the start of the 2025 MLB season.

San Francisco outfielder Jerar Encarnacion suffered a left hand fracture and will undergo more testing Saturday, the team announced ahead of its spring training matchup with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Encarnacion sustained the injury when he jammed his left ring finger while attempting to make a diving catch during the top of the seventh inning in the Giants’ 5-4 win over the Cleveland Guardians in Scottsdale, Ariz.

He immediately exited the game and was sent for X-rays.

“It’s easier said than done playing right field here in spring training when you’re just coming in a game, too,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said (h/t MLB.com Maria Guardado). “He was just trying to lay out and make a good play. He just caught his fingers underneath.”

No other details immediately were available and there’s no timeline of his return.

The timing isn’t ideal for obvious reasons, with San Francisco’s season opener just five days away. But the 27-year-old also was rolling in spring training, hitting .302 (16-for-53) with two home runs, seven doubles, 14 RBI and four runs scored in 20 games played this spring.

His absence will open the door for another roster spot and the DH spot on Opening Day.

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

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Austin Wells homers twice, Carlos Rodon solid in final spring start as Yankees beat Tigers

Austin Wells continued his hot hitting and Carlos Rodon was solid in his final spring start as the Yankees defeated the Detroit Tigers, 4-0, in Lakeland.

Here are the takeaways...

-Earlier in the day, Dominic Smith opted out of his contract with the Yankees and was removed from the lineup. Barring any last-minute changes, the Yankees are content with the lefties they have in the lineup/bench and it was proven right early in this one.

Wells led off the game smashing a 3-2 fastball over the right field wall. But the left-handed catcher wasn't done. After hitting a single in his third at-bat, Wells came up in the seventh and finished his night smoking a three-run bomb that had an exit velocity of 104.3 mph and went 383 feet.

Wells has hit five spring training home runs and finished 3-for-4 while driving in all four Yankees runs. It's easy to see Wells leading off for the Yankees against right-handed pitchers the way he's been swinging the bat.

Ben Rice, the other power-hitting lefty, was also very impressive smacking two doubles to go 2-for-4. Rice's place on the roster isn't confirmed, but he's now hitting .278 with an OPS of .943 this spring. It'll be hard not to include him with Giancarlo Stanton likely landing on the IL to start the season.

-Speaking of hitters trying to make the team. With Smith opting out, Pablo Reyes is a potential right-handed fit for the Yankees' bench. Unfortunately, he went 0-for-3 on Friday but is still hitting .297 with a .831 OPS this spring.

Other notable batters include Trent Grisham who finished 0-for-3 with a walk, Oswaldo Cabrera who went 0-for-4 and Oswald Peraza who was hitless in his three at-bats while striking out twice.

-Rodon had his final tune-up before starting Opening Day and he was good. The southpaw worked around trouble a bit, but when he needed an out he got one with his fastball, which topped out around 96 mph, and slider combination to the tune of five strikeouts. Rodon left after 4.1 innings (77 pitches/45 strikes) of scoreless ball, allowing three hits and three walks.

-Yoendry Gomez is looking to earn a spot in the Yankees' bullpen and he was very effective, allowing just one walk and striking out two batters in 2.1 innings of work.

Highlights

What's next

The Yankees return home to Tampa to host the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m.

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Pitcher Julio Urías suspended through the All-Star break by MLB under domestic violence policy

NEW YORK — Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Julio Urías was suspended through the All-Star break by Major League Baseball on Friday under its domestic violence policy with the players' association.

Urías had pleaded no contest last May to one count of misdemeanor domestic battery. The penalty was the second for Urías under the policy following a 20-game suspension in 2019. MLB said he will be reinstated from the restricted list on July 17 and as a free agent can sign with any team.

A 28-year-old left-hander, Urías has not pitched since Sept. 1, 2023. He was arrested two days later outside BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, where he had attended a Major League Soccer game on Sept. 3 involving Inter Miami and Lionel Messi. The Department of Public Safety said it was contacted by someone, whose name was not publicly identified, regarding a physical altercation between a man and a woman.

Urías initially was given a felony charge of corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant, and he was placed on administrative leave by MLB that Sept. 6.

Urías pleaded no contest to one count of misdemeanor domestic battery the following May 1 as four other misdemeanor charges were dropped. Los Angeles City Attorney’s office spokesman Ivor Pine said Urías was placed on 36 months of summary probation and ordered to complete 30 days of community labor. Urías must also complete a 52-week domestic violence counseling course, pay a domestic violence fund fee, not possess any weapons, not use any force or violence, pay restitution to the victim and abide by a protective order.

“Having reviewed all of the available evidence, I have concluded that Mr. Urías violated our policy and that discipline is appropriate,” baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement Friday.

MLB said Urías agreed to be evaluated by the joint policy board established by MLB and the players' association and to comply with any of its recommendations.

Urías' agent, Scott Boras, said the pitcher was not making any statement.

Urías became a free agent after the 2023 World Series when his $4.7 million, one-year contract expired.

Urías was also arrested in May 2019 on suspicion of domestic battery. While he was suspended by MLB, he wasn’t prosecuted by the LA city attorney on the condition he complete a 52-week domestic violence counseling program.

Over eight major league seasons, all with the Dodgers, Urías is 60-25 with a 3.11 ERA. He led the National League with a 2.16 ERA in 2022 and was a member of the team that won the 2020 World Series, going 4-0 with a save and a 1.17 ERA in six postseason appearances.

Urías became the first player suspended under the domestic violence policy since New York Yankees pitcher Jimmy Cordero on July 5, 2023. Cordero missed the final 73 games of the season, spent last season with the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan's Pacific League and has signed with Mexico's Toros de Tijuana for this season.

Others penalized under the domestic violence policy include Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer, Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman and pitcher Domingo Germán, Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell, Toronto pitcher Roberto Osuna, Colorado shortstop José Reyes and Atlanta outfielder Hector Olivera.

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco remains on the restricted list and hasn't played since Aug. 12, 2023, but has not been disciplined by MLB.

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Padres' Yu Darvish to start season on injured list with elbow inflammation

PEORIA, Ariz. — San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish will start the season on the injured list because of inflammation in his right elbow, manager Mike Shildt said Friday.

Shildt said there is no timetable for Darvish's return but the team is confident Darvish will be back in the rotation following rest and a ramp-up period.

Darvish made a pair of spring training starts but was shut down after the second, a four-inning, 54-pitch outing against Kansas City on March 13. The Padres decided to have him back off his throwing program after he played catch a couple times.

Kyle Hart, Stephen Kolek and Randy Vasquez are candidates to fill Darvish’s spot in the rotation behind Michael King, Dylan Cease and Nick Pivetta.

Darvish is 110-88 with a 3.58 ERA in 12 major league seasons after pitching for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in Japan's Pacific League from 2005-11. The 38-year-old had Tommy John surgery on March 17, 2015, and returned to a major league mound on May 28, 2016.

He had back, neck and elbow problems last season and was on the restricted list for personal reasons from early July to late August. He won three of four starts in September and was 1-1 with a 1.98 ERA in two starts against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Division Series

Darvish came to the major leagues in 2012 after agreeing to a $56 million, six-year contract with the Texas Rangers. He was traded to the Dodgers in July 2017, became a free agent after the World Series and signed a $126 million, six-year deal with the Chicago Cubs. Darvish was dealt to San Diego after the 2020 season and in February 2023 agreed to a contract with the Padres that added an additional $90 million in guaranteed money for a total of $108 million over six year.

His 2023 season ended in late August because of a bone spur in his right elbow.

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Mets Opening Day starter Clay Holmes looking forward to 'attacking' season from Day 1

When the Mets signed Clay Holmes to a three-year, $38 million contract during the offseason it was with the idea that he could potentially translate from the reliever he had been for basically his entire career into a starting pitcher.

So that's what both sides sought to do in spring training.

Regardless of what New York saw in Holmes that suggested he could make the jump into the starting rotation, what the right-hander has done for the Mets throughout camp has probably shocked even them to a degree. That's because Holmes has been nothing short of brilliant in his first endeavor at becoming a starter since 2018 when he made four starts for the Pittsburgh Pirates in his debut season.

The 31-year-old's mastery was on full display once again on Friday afternoon in a 3-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals in what was his final tune-up of the spring before taking the ball on Opening Day. In 5.1 innings, his longest outing so far, Holmes allowed no runs on two hits, and three walks and struck out eight on 88 pitches (53 strikes).

It marked the culmination of New York's plan to stretch out the big right-hander this spring which began with three perfect innings in the Mets' spring opener against the Houston Astros on Feb. 22.

"It doesn’t feel like things are really ending for me, I feel like it’s just another part of the process," Holmes said. "But I feel like the plan we had in place from the get-go was right on track and we wanted to get to 90 pitches by the end of spring and we’re here.

"I think it’s just a testament to having some very thoughtful and intentional plans going into this and it’s nice to kind of see it come to fruition and being in such a good spot right now. Really just having a good foundation set for the season and looking forward to keep building on this."

With Sean Manaea getting injured at the start of spring training and Kodai Senga coming off an injury-plagued season, Holmes made what could have been a difficult decision easy for the Mets with his performances on the mound, forcing manager Carlos Mendoza's hand to name him the Game 1 starter.

And while making him a starter was certainly part of New York's plan, naming him the team's Opening Day starter was a pleasant surprise, especially for Holmes who didn't necessarily have any intentions of transitioning from a reliever to a starting pitcher in the big leagues.

"I’m excited, I mean Opening Day is a special day," he said. "It’s a long offseason and this is a day you’re kind of working towards and for it to be here it feels special. And to be able to have the Mets uniform on and really compete and be on the field with the guys in this locker room is gonna be special.

"You can see there’s a lot of people in here that really care and that have worked really hard to put themselves in position to be the best player they can and the best team we can and we know the opportunity we have in front of us and we’re looking forward to attacking it from day one."

There will surely be a learning curve at some point in the season or a few bumps along the way, but Holmes has done everything the Mets have asked of him and has handled it with aplomb.

Even on Friday, Holmes discussed how different it feels to pitch five-plus innings rather than the one or two innings he was accustomed to. "Six ups just feels long, it feels like you're pitching forever out there," he said with a chuckle.

He added, "I think that's just a mental thing."

In five Grapefruit League starts the right-hander finished with a 0.93 ERA (0.78 WHIP) to go along with 23 strikeouts in 19.1 innings, consistently dominating hitters and pitching like the ace on the team.

"It’s not something I was necessarily striving for, but it just kind of organically came about," Holmes said about his journey to becoming a starter. And I think for me I’m a learner, I’m curious, I’m always thinking and sometimes life takes an uncertain route and you just roll with it. I think it’s meant to be.

Even though it's not something Holmes necessarily sought after, getting a taste of being a front-line starter has him as eager as he's ever been in his career to continue to improve.

"I’m excited, I think I’m in a great spot and I haven’t been this excited just to attack a season, attack the next day in a while so I think it’s kind of just giving me something to look forward to and I think it’s gonna be a fun year ahead," he said.

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Starling Marte says knees 'feel really good,' hopes to get opportunity to play outfield this season

A major X-factor for the Mets this season will be Starling Marte and whether or not he can stay healthy for the duration of the year, something the 36-year-old hasn't been able to do over the last two seasons in New York.

However, this season figures to be slightly different for Marte as the Mets plan on using him mostly as a designated hitter and in a platoon with Jesse Winker, rather than counting on him to be their starting right fielder like in the past.

The injuries to Marte have been aplenty since coming to Queens with last year's problem stemming from a bone bruise in his right knee that cost him almost two months. In 2023, the outfielder missed almost half the season with a right groin strain as well as migraines.

So entering spring training this year, Marte worked hard to get his knee prepared for the season. It took him a bit to be ready to play in any Grapefruit League games, making his spring training debut on March 10, but on Friday afternoon he made his first start in the outfield.

"[My knees] feel really good," he said through an interpreter. "Thank God we’ve been working really, really hard throughout this whole process to get back to where we want to be. They feel completely different from [how] they felt last year."

That's obviously a good sign for the Mets who would love to have the version of Marte they saw in 2022 who slashed .292/.347/.468 with 16 home runs and 63 RBI in 118 games. Since then, Marte has played just 180 games and has totaled 12 home runs and 68 RBI in two seasons.

But with Juan Soto now in the mix and playing right field, Marte just needs to focus on staying healthy and being productive at the plate, which he has been throughout his 13-year career as evidenced by his .286 batting average and .783 OPS.

Nevertheless, Marte hopes to still play the outfield whenever he can.

"I like playing in the outfield, I would like to get that opportunity to play the outfield," he said. "Obviously, being the DH gives me more time for my knee to recover and it gives me more time to be off my feet."

If Marte does play the outfield this season, it will likely be in left field where Brandon Nimmo -- nursing his own injury -- is the starter. It's a position that Marte hasn't played so far in New York (he played right field on Friday), but he has in the past and is willing to do whatever the team asks of him.

"Since being here I haven’t played left field. Obviously I used to play left field a long time ago and I did a good job, albeit a long time ago, but if that’s where they need me to play, I’m willing to play there. I do expect to get reps there at some point," he said.

Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic like his successor Soto, Marte also briefly spoke about what he's seen from his friend and the newest Met in camp.

"It’s been really good, he’s obviously a great kid," Marte said. "He’s someone who is always open to any type of topic that you’re going over there to talk to him about.

"I’ve noticed that he’s really taking a lot of the young players under his wing and when these young players can have someone like that talk to them… I think it can do a lot of good things. We’ve always had a pretty good relationship before he got here and now so I expect it to continue going that way."