Jeff McNeil

New York Mets: The Mets Minor League Pitchers Fail in 9-5 Loss

by

The New York Mets sitting at five games under .500 and losing four in a row was not enough for Luis Rojas to manage Tuesday night’s game with any urgency. The Mets sent out unproven Ariel Jurado to start the game and followed up with Franklyn Kilome to hand over an easy 9-5 victory to the Baltimore Orioles.

The Orioles slugged 15 hits and it seemed like all of them, outside of a Cedric Mullins bunt single, was hit with authority. Jurado (4 IP) and Kimome (3 IP), combined to allow all nine runs and three home runs. Renato Nunez was responsible for two of them and four RBIs while Anthony Santander had a homer with there RBIs.

It was another example of the lack of depth the Mets have thanks to Brodie Van Wagenen. Jurado is not a top-10 rotation option for any good team in baseball, but the Mets do not qualify as a good team. Despite settling after the first two innings, it did not hide the fact that he already allowed five runs.

Cano Stays Hot, McNeil Follows

Despite scoring five runs on the night, they only had two at-bats with runners in scoring position. They record a hit in those opportunities coming a Luis Guillorme RBI single. Robinson Cano added a home run for the third consecutive day and brought his average up to .380.

Jeff McNeil also found his stroke again with three hits, including his eighth double of the season. Andres Gimenez also recorded his first major league home run to tie the game at five but it was the end of the Mets scoring.

With Todd Frazier rejoining the Mets on Wednesday, either Gimenez or Guillorme will head to the Mets alternate site. Realistically, Frazier should be the odd man out but the Mets will not make that move. Robinson Chirinos and Miguel Castro will also join the team on Wednesday.

Michael Wacha finishes off the two-game series on Wednesday against a starter to be announced for the Orioles. The first pitch from Camden Yards is at 4:05 p.m. ET.

New York Mets: deGrom’s Four Run Sixth Gives Marlins 5-3 Victory

by
New York Mets, Pete Alonso

The miserable New York Mets continue to struggle as Jacob deGrom cannot save them from a four-game losing streak. After cruising through five innings, it was a completely different deGrom in the sixth inning. The pesky Miami Marlins put across four runs and held off the Mets offense to win 5-3.

Things went bad for deGrom from the start of the inning. He lost the feel for his slider, and Garrett Cooper teed off on one for a 451-foot home run, cutting the Mets lead down to one. Pete Alonso’s error on a Matt Joyce ground ball opened up the lanes for the Marlins to steal bases. They stole four on the day, three off deGrom.

Joyce’s steal of second on a Brian Anderson strikeout allowed Lewin Diaz to record an RBI double, tying the game at two. Miguel Rojas gave the Marlins the lead with a bloop single, then Jorge Alfaro doubled to close the book on the four-run sixth.

Rogers Bent But Did Not Break

Trevor Rogers did not pitch as well as his first start against the Mets but showed his ability to battle once again. He held the Mets to two runs over five innings and used his fastball/changeup combination to keep the Mets off balance.

Jeff McNeil doubled, and Dominic Smith hit a sacrifice fly to give the Mets their only two runs off of Rogers. The team struggled again with runners in scoring position, only going 2-for-10. They squandered leadoff doubles in the fourth and fifth, which came back to bite them. Both were opportunities to create separation. It would have allowed deGrom to pitch more aggressively and rest the key arms in the Mets bullpen.

The loss showed the cluelessness of manager Luis Rojas. In no fashion does Pete Alonso deserve to hit in the two-hole, and Wilson Ramos does not deserve to hit fourth. Lefty or righty, both are two of the worst hitters on the roster at this time. He also continues to DH Robinson Cano instead of putting him at second, McNeil in left field, Smith at first, and Alonso as the DH. Smith looks like Keith Hernandez at first base when compared to Alonso.

Despite all the negativity from the last few days, they still have a chance to make the playoffs with a short winning streak. They will try to start one against the Baltimore Orioles. Game one is at 7:35 p.m. ET on Tuesday, and per usual, the Mets have no idea who is pitching.

The Mets dodge a bullet as Jeff McNeil is diagnosed with a bone contusion

by

For New York Mets‘ fans, seeing Jeff McNeil suffering in pain after making a spectacular catch in left field was an ugly scene. They had feared the worst, especially since he was grabbing his left knee in evident pain. Fortunately, the injury gods, apparently, smiled to the Mets this time around.

McNeil underwent X-rays and they turned negative. Then, an MRI showed no structural damage and he was diagnosed with a bone contusion, which should allow him to avoid the injured list per Mets’ manager Luis Rojas. Bullet dodged.

McNeil wasn’t available for comment after the game, but several teammates expressed their happiness about the situation and the diagnosis. “He’s a fearless competitor,” said teammate Dominic Smith to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. “Obviously, you don’t want to see a guy go down, but I love it. I just love how hard he plays.”

In the Mets’ 8-2 win against the Washington Nationals, Asdrubal Cabrera reached a low slider and drove it to left field. What appeared to be a double to the gaps turned out to be an out thanks to McNeil’s running catch.

A scare for the Mets

He ended up hitting the wall and fell to the ground in pain. A member of the Mets’ training staff met him, and McNeil tried to walk to the dugout. He couldn’t and had to be carted off. Billy Hamilton replaced him in the game.

“My first reaction was that it was a hell of a catch and it got us out of that tight jam,” starting pitcher David Peterson said. “Once he was down for a while, guys were kind of starting to be like, ‘OK, something might be wrong.’”

If the Mets choose to give McNeil a couple of days of rest, they have JD Davis and Dominic Smith capable of playing left field, and if they include Hamilton in the lineup in center, Brandon Nimmo could also fill in next to him.

McNeil was “very encouraged about getting the results from the X-ray,” according to Rojas.

“It just makes us want to play harder,” Smith said. “That type of energy that he brings, it’s just kind of contagious. It just makes us want to play harder for each other. Obviously, it sucks that he went down, but it just goes to show how hard we go out there and play and how fearless he is.”

McNeil has a .319/.382/ .502 career line with a .375 wOBA and a 139 wRC+. For the season, he was at .293/.358/.362 with a .319 wOBA and a 107 wRC+.

New York Mets: X-rays turn up negative on McNeil’s knee; MRI next

by

The New York Mets performed X-rays to Jeff McNeil’s knee after he banged it against the left field wall while making a highlight-reel catch. They turned out to be negative, which is of course excellent news, but the Mets and McNeil are not completely out of the woods yet.

The Mets will perform an MRI just to be sure but for now, the injury is being labeled as a bad bruise. McNeil caught a fly ball to the gaps hit by Washington Nationals’ infielder Asdrubal Cabrera in Thursday’s matinee. He immediately crashed into the wall and had to be removed from the game.

“Sources: Jeff McNeil’s knee X-ray is negative, so the hope is it’s just a bad bruise. Will go for MRI to confirm though. McNeil, the heart of the team, made a run-saving catch while diving into the wall in 1st inning,” MLB Network’s Jon Heyman tweeted.

After the collision, McNeil tried to walk on his own power but couldn’t do it, and had to be carted off. Billy Hamilton took his place in the Mets’ outfield for the rest of the game. It is still not clear if McNeil will be forced to miss some time.

The Mets are holding their breath

The MRI will provide more clarity in the situation. For now, the New York Mets will be in wait and see mode. If he is forced to miss time, JD Davis will see more time at third and Dominic Smith’s place in the everyday lineup will be virtually guaranteed.

McNeil is one of the Mets’ most talented hitters, as he owns a career .319/.382/ .502 line with a .375 wOBA and a 139 wRC+. In 212 career games and 882 plate appearances, he has hit 26 long balls, scored 123 runs and driven in 101.

For the season, he was at .293/.358/.362 with a .319 wOBA and a 107 wRC+. He already had to deal with a very minor intercostal strain, as the Mets continue to be the victims of bad luck with injuries. They lost Noah Syndergaard for the year and others such as Jared Hughes, Brad Brach, Michael Wacha, Amed Rosario and Robinson Cano have had to miss some games.

New York Mets: Jeff McNeil exits Thursday’s game after crashing into the wall

by

The New York Mets keep receiving bad news on the injury front. Infielder/outfielder Jeff McNeil had to be removed from Thursday afternoon’s game against the Washington Nationals after he collided with the wall while making a highly difficult catch in left field.

Here is the video:


He managed to hold onto the ball, but he paid the price. Word from the stadium is that the Mets’ batting machine may be dealing with a knee injury, although an official diagnosis is still not available at the time.

The New York Mets already lost rotation stalwarts Noah Syndergaard (Tommy John surgery) Marcus Stroman (opted out of the season because of concerns with COVID-19) and Michael Wacha (right shoulder inflammation,) not to mention infielder Robinson Cano.

Will the Mets’ depth get tested again?

McNeil himself dealt with a minor intercostal strain last week, one that cost him a couple of games. The Mets’ infielder (and outfielder) depth will be tested again, as it is unclear at this point if McNeil is going to miss time and how much.

The Mets’ star player tried to walk off the field under his own power but, according to Rotoworld, eventually sat back down on the ground and ultimately had to be carted off. He was seen grabbing his knee area at the moment of receiving medical assistance.

Billy Hamilton, who was signed by the Mets recently, replaced in the lineup in the bottom of the first frame.
McNeil was batting .293 with no homers or steals, but with five runs, seven RBI and a .720 OPS. He is an important piece in the Mets’ lineup and manager Luis Rojas would have a hard time replacing his expected production if that were the case.

The Mets are currently in fourth place in the National League East division with a 8-11 record, ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies but behind the Atlanta Braves, Miami Marlins and the Nationals.

New York Mets Can’t Get Out of Their Own Way in 2-1 Loss

by
New York Mets, Billy Hamilton

The New York Mets season has two scripts to it. Either their pitching forces them to lose by a touchdown or they leave a small village on the bases. In the 2-1 loss to the Washington Nationals, it was the pathetic offensive effort that prevented them from getting a victory.

It looked like the Mets were going to chase Max Scherzer early in the game. Through two innings, he was well over 60 pitches and looked like the same Scherzer they faced a week ago. Per usual with the Mets, they tacked on to their league-leading LOB tally to let him off the hook.

The Mets left seven men on base, and when they did get into scoring position, they failed to record a hit all four times. Luis Guillorme drove in the only Mets run with a sacrifice fly. He also played a strong up the middle defense with Andres Gimenez at shortstop.

The Mets’ best chance to tie the game came in the seventh inning when Guillorme led off the inning with a double. Instead of leaving Billy Hamilton in the game to bunt him to third base, manager Luis Rojas opted to pinch-hit with Pete Alonso. At almost any other point, this is a brilliant move to make, but in the current situation, it becomes very questionable.

Alonso is the epitome of how bad the Mets are with runners in scoring position. Bunting the runner to third base, gives the Mets a chance to score a run with anything outside of a pop-up or strikeout. The clutch hitting is dreadful, and the Mets need any help they can get to make getting the runner in easier. With Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil due up, it would serve them perfectly to hit with a runner on third base.

Instead, Alonso could not get Guillorme to third base, let alone drive him in with no one out. Nimmo walked, then McNeil hit into a tough luck double play, which summed up how dreadful the 2020 season has been for the Mets. Ironically, Guillorme ended up striking out to end the game when Alonso could have pinched hit in the ninth.

Porcello’s Tough Luck

Rick Porcello had a very similar start to his last one against the Nats. He surrendered a run in each of the first two innings but shut the door for the following four innings. Porcello struck out five and worked around eight hits to lower his ERA to 5.68. The high ERA is nothing special, but comparing it to the 13.50 from two starts is a good step forward for him.

Jared Hughes and Edwin Diaz both combined for three scoreless innings in relief of Porcello. Both are pitching well as of late and would be terrific parts of a late-inning bullpen if the offense could ever get them a lead.

The defense for the Mets excelled, but they had to sacrifice offense for it. Despite not having their A+ offensive lineup, there still should be enough power in their defensive lineup for them to score more than one run. If Rojas is looking for more consistency from his lineups, he should stick with the defensive centric lineup. At 7-11, there is not much to lose in a season that seems already lost.

As of 10:25 p.m. ET on Tuesday, the Mets have not announced their starter for Wednesday’s game. It will either be Franklyn Kilome or a bullpen game. Whoever the start is, they will face off against veteran Anibal Sanchez at 7:10 p.m. ET from Citi Field.

New York Mets: Pitching Fails in 16-4 Loss to Nationals

by
New York Mets, New York Yankees, Steven Matz

It was fitting for the New York Mets to lose 16-4 when the found out Marcus Stroman was opting out for the rest of the 2020 season. To make matters worse, the scoring outbreak came against the worse scoring team in baseball, the Washington Nationals.

Steven Matz had nothing against the Nationals for the second straight start. He was lit up for eight runs in 4.1 innings, allowing three home runs on the night. After pitching a terrific first inning, it was all downhill after that. Matz consistently left his pitches up and over the plate and rarely threw inside with any success.

The issue is not Matz failing to pitch inside enough; it is missing inside in the wrong spot. If he misses inside off the plate or low, then no one can hit the ball solidly. Matz’s starts in the rotation are numbered as he continues to struggle.

7-Run Fifth

Matz and Paul Sewald combined for an eight-hit, seven-run fifth inning, which put the game out of reach. Believe it or not, Sewald pitched worse than Matz, allowing six runs and six hits in this two-out stint. At least Drew Smith and infielder Luis Guillorme were the only relievers to record a 1-2-3 inning.

Jeff McNeil was a bright spot for the Mets offense recording three hits and a double. Brandon Nimmo also recorded a homer in the ninth off Sean Doolittle. The home run off a left-hander is an encouraging sign for Nimmo. He has been struggling both in the power department and against lefties.

The Mets attempt to allow less than 16 runs on Tuesday as Rick Porcello attempts to outduel a healthy Max Scherzer, who is coming back from a hamstring injury. The first pitch from Citi Field is at 7:10 p.m. ET.

New York Mets: Offense, Bullpen Picks Up deGrom in 4-2 Victory

by
New York Mets, Andres Gimenez

New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom is the king of day games but did not have his best stuff on Sunday. Despite only getting through five innings, he gave the Mets all they needed to get the 4-2 victory as they attempt to climb back to .500.

A lingering issue with his middle finger started bothering deGrom in the second inning. It forced him to elevate his pitch count and even drew a visit from the trainer. deGrom worked through the outing to pitch five innings, strikeout six and hold the Marlins to two runs. It was his second win of the season, and the only blemish on his line was a Jesus Aguilar two-run homer in the fifth inning.

Gimenez Leads the Way

Andres Gimenez continued to prove his worth at the big league level. He recorded three hits, including a double, and showcased his speed on the bases. Gimenez had a bunt single, stolen base and scored on a shallow sacrifice fly.

The Mets also took advantage of a weak Marlins outfield defense to record their runs. In the third inning, Jeff McNeil was robbed of a single with the bases loaded, but the fielder’s choice gave the Mets a 1-0 lead. Following that, a Corey Dickerson error gave the Mets their second run of the game.

A base hit from Brandon Nimmo in the fourth and a sac fly from McNeil in the sixth were all the Mets needed. It was important for the Mets to put together good at-bats in these situations where putting the ball in play score the Mets runs, instead of relying on the home run.

Bullpen Flexes Muscle

The bullpen depth the Mets signed in the offseason finally showed up. Jared Hughes and Dellin Betances started with back to back scoreless innings then the Edwin Diaz roller coaster began. By bringing in Diaz during the eighth, with a lead, it was clear the Mets want him back in the ninth when fully ready.

Diaz looked sharp, striking out the first two but then a single and double put the tying run in scoring position. In a situation where he would break, Diaz struck out Monte Harrison to get the Mets out of the jam. Seth Lugo slammed the door shut in the ninth as the closer role is firmly his at the moment.

Steven Matz takes the mound on Monday as the Mets begin a four-game set with the struggling Washington Nationals. The 7:10 p.m. ET game has the same matchup as last week with Patrick Corbin on the mound for the Nats.

New York Mets Series Preview: Miami Marlins (8/7-8/9)

by
New York Mets, Jacob deGrom

The New York Mets return to Citi Field after an off day to play the first-place Miami Marlins. At 6-1, the Marlins have had plenty of games postponed due to their COVID-19 outbreak. Despite the hot start, the quarantine period for some of their players will be a lot to overcome.

Probable Pitching Matchups

Friday, (8/7) @ 7:10 p.m. ET: Humberto Mejia (MLB Debut) vs. Michael Wacha (1-1, 6.00 ERA)

Saturday, (8/8) @ 7:10 p.m. ET: TBD vs. David Peterson (1-1, 3.86 ERA)

Sunday (8/9) @ 1:10 p.m. ET: TBD vs. Jacob deGrom (1-0, 2.12 ERA)

The Mets get Jeff McNeil back into the lineup after sitting out the last couple of games dealing with an intercostal strain. Even more interesting for the Mets is the switch of J.D. Davis to third base and McNeil to the outfield. Davis shined with the glove at third in his one start on Wednesday, and McNeil has been a liability to start the season.

Jacob deGrom gets to pitch another day game, which is a specialty for the Mets ace. He has an ERA under two during the day time starts. With a lineup as weak as the Marlins currently is, it should be easy pickings for the two-time Cy Young winner.

Matchups to Lookout For

Jacob deGrom vs. Lewis Brinson: 4-for-20 (.200), Double, 8 Strikeouts

Jacob deGrom vs. Jon Berti: 5-for-12 (.417), 3 Doubles, 2 Strikeouts

New York Mets Injury Report (8/6/20)

by
yankees, New York Mets, Marcus Stroman

The New York Mets injuries piled up over the second week of the season and it decimated three-quarters of their infield. Here is a look at all of the injuries the Mets are dealing with.

Amed Rosario has left quad tightness that he suffered during Monday’s game against the Atlanta Braves. The injury kept him out of both games against the Washington Nationals but it was not serious enough to put him on the Injured List. He should return to the lineup during the weekend.

Robinson Cano landed on the 10-day IL after a Grade 2 left adductor strain. He suffered the injury attempting to score from second on an infield single and sliding into home plate. It was clear Cano would suffer some type of injury when he had to run at 100%. Cano is confident he will be ready to play once his stint on the IL finishes.

Jeff McNeil has an intercostal strain that kept him out for the last three games. He also sees the injury as minor and should expect to find time in the lineup over the weekend. J.D. Davis solid defense at third base gives real question to McNeil possibly playing left field when he is healthy.

Depth Injuries

Rene Rivera hyperextended his elbow after only two games in 2020. His timetable for a return is unclear but the Mets likely will not carry a third catcher when the roster shrinks on Thursday.

Jake Marisnick has a left hamstring strain which has plagued him since summer camp began. He is scheduled to come off the IL over the weekend but the Mets trading for Billy Hamilton shows the injury is severe. Hamilton was brought in to replace the defense of Marisnick on the roster.

Eduardo Nunez has a left knee contusion he suffered attempting to beat out a ground ball. There is no timetable for his return and upon it he will be unlikely to make the 28-man roster with the play of Andres Gimenez and Luis Guillorme.

Marcus Stroman threw a four-inning simulated game last Friday and is scheduled to throw another on Thursday in Brooklyn. HIs left calf tear has kept him out through the first two weeks of the season but the Mets rotation needs him back. The biggest challenge for Stroman is to field his position. It clear he can pitch but he cannot move off the mound at 100%.

Robert Gsellman should return within the next few days from right triceps tightness. He still has to throw live batting practice but will join the Mets as soon as healthy. Gsellman will be a good addition to the Mets’ middle relief core.

Brad Brach tested positive for COVID-19, which landed him on the IL. He should return a few days after Gsellman and started throwing bullpen sessions during the week. Much like Gsellman, Brach sures up the middle relief core.

Long Term Injuries

Noah Syndergaard started throwing in his recovery from Tommy John Surgery. He had a catch with 2020 draft pick, J.T. Ginn, about a week ago but will not see the field until the 2021 season.

Jed Lowrie’s season came to an end when he landed on the 45-day IL with PCL laxity in his left knee. It affirmatively ended his Mets career, recording zero hits and going down as one of the worst contracts in Mets history.