The first Spring Training game is officially in the books.
Let’s unwrap that and everything else, shall we?
JED LOWRIE
Two days after Jed Lowrie’s MRI, the Mets have released the diagnosis. They’re calling it a “capsule sprain” in his left knee.
There is no timetable for his return.
If it takes long enough, it will be like “adding a Jed Lowrie” at the trade deadline. https://t.co/TPAL9Jarto
— Greg Prince (@greg_prince) February 23, 2019
PETE ALONSO
The knock on Alonso has always been his defense. In the second inning yesterday, Amed Rosario stuck with a tough hop at short and fired across the diamond, only for Alonso to drop it.
The defense is still a work in progress, but in the bottom of the inning…
That was a rocket!
And to Alonso’s credit, he is on the diamond taking ground balls every morning, hours before the rest of his teammates arrive. Mets fans are gonna like this guy!
BRANDON NIMMO
Nimmo who has been dealing with some shoulder soreness was able to take full batting practice this morning. And Mets fans breathe a sigh of relief.
SAFETY FIRST
Mets have instructed their outfielders not to throw past the cutoff man until mid March.
GAME NUMBER 1
- Robinson Canó notched his first hit as a Met and nearly hit his first homerun.
- Walter Lockett who came to the Mets in the Kevin Plawecki deal, has been talked up by many as rotational/bullpen depth. He had a nice 1-2-3 inning in the first, but ran into the problems in the second. To his credit, his defense behind him didn’t help. (Personally, I thought he was left out there too long. It’s the first game of spring.)
- Hector Santiago, who has also been mentioned as pitching depth, worked around two hit batsmen and turned in a scoreless inning, picking up the win.
- Michael Conforto and JD Davis had base hits. Rymer Liriano hit a homerun, which put the Mets ahead for good.
- Mets coaches were very impressed with Anthony Kay’s pickoff move and his inning of work overall.
- Eric Hanhold locked down the Braves in the 9th to earn the save.
- Kyle Dowdy, Drew Gagnon, Anthony Kay, Chris Flexen and Stephen Villines all earned holds. Only Villines allowed the Braves to score.
Mets are back at it today with Cy Young Award winner, Jacob deGrom on the mound. See ya tomorrow!