James McCann was activated from the 10-day injured list prior to today’s 5-3 win over the Marlins, and the catcher went 1-for-4 with a single and a run scored in his first game since May 10. McCann had to undergo surgery to fix a broken left hamate bone, costing him a little beyond the initial six-week recovery timeline. Nevertheless, McCann is back behind the plate and looking to finally get his Queens tenure on track. Since signing a four-year, $40.6MM free agent deal in the 2020-21 offseason, McCann has hit only .227/.290/.341 over his first 142 games and 476 plate appearances in a Mets uniform.
Neither Tomas Nido or Patrick Mazeika shone while McCann was out, so there isn’t much chance of McCann losing his starting job….unless the aggressive Mets either added a short-term catcher (i.e. a pending free agent like Willson Contreras) or perhaps promoted star prospect Francisco Alvarez. While Alvarez is crushing Double-A pitching, it would be bold to see the Mets promote him past Triple-A and directly to the majors, so the club would certainly prefer to just see McCann flash some of his good hitting form from the 2019-20 seasons.
More from the Amazins…
- There was some speculation that Max Scherzer could be activated from his own IL stint this weekend, but the ace will instead make another minor league rehab start. As Scherzer told MLB.com’s Paige Leckie and other reporters, he “got a little sore” after tossing his last rehab outing, plus a subsequent bullpen session, and continued rehab on his left oblique. “In order to pitch and to start [in the majors] on Sunday, I was going to have to be perfect….I couldn’t check that box,” Scherzer said. This doesn’t really count as a setback for the former Cy Young Award winner, given that a return tomorrow would have put him ahead of schedule from the 6-to-8 week timeline initially attached to his recovery. Should all go well in this next rehab outing, Scherzer might be able to return to the Mets for their series against the Rangers next weekend (July 2-3).
- Speaking of rehab assignments, right-hander Colin Holderman will start for Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday, Mets skipper Buck Showalter told Leckie and other reporters. Holderman was (retroactively) placed on the 15-day IL on June 8 due to a right shoulder impingement, but it seems as though the rookie is making good progress. Over his first 11 1/3 innings in the majors, Holderman has posted a 3.18 ERA, 30.4% strikeout rate, and 8.7% walk rate.
- Jacob deGrom threw his second live batting-practice session, tossing over 20 pitches. (The New York Post’s Mike Puma was among those to report the news.) DeGrom has another BP session scheduled, and he could then perhaps be lined up for a minor league rehab assignment. It marks yet another step in deGrom’s recovery from a stress fracture in his scapula, as deGrom has yet to pitch this season — or in almost a full year, as deGrom’s appearance on July 7, 2021 was his last before a forearm injury eventually ended his 2021 campaign.
- Left-handed relief pitching will be among the Mets’ priorities at the trade deadline this summer, Jon Heyman of the New York Post writes. While the club will look for bullpen help in general, Chasen Shreve and Joely Rodriguez are the only southpaws in New York’s bullpen, and both have been a little shaky this year.
Mets just have no business winning so much yet here we are. Hopefully, things will return to normal after the break.
YANKEE TROLL
Yankees have no business winning so much either yet here we are. Hopefully, things will return to normal after the break.
He isn’t a Yankees fan, but okay. Read his alias and it will tell you his fandom. Unless you mean he’s from the north, above the Mason-Dixon, in which case, I don’t know.
Mets fans aren’t known for their high reading comprehension.
That could be said about people with piazza in their handles on mlbtr… derp derp
LoL
I have never seen such a slow rehab process as degrom. Every article fir two months says he feels totally fine. Anyone would be crazy to give him more then one year deals with a second year option.
The Mets are in a good position to take it slow. Same applies for Scherzer. If he comes back and is still the same pitcher, someone will give him guaranteed three years minimum.
Sitting for over a year is not good for anyone.
DeGrom isn’t just an anyone. Look at what Verlander got.
He got a one year deal.
He will be fine. He’s not stupid. Degrom is only 34 now. Verlander was 37 when he needed TJS and parlayed that into a 2* year deal btw. He needs to pitch 41 more innings this year to have it vest for another 25 mill. Dude got a 50 million dollar contract at 37 after getting TJS for the first time. Degrom will get 3 or 4 years if he comes back healthy for the second half
Feels like Mets are aiming for after break w/Degrom. Still healthy lead in East, and best record in NL. Feels like they don’t trust his durability and figure the innings he doesn’t pitch in July may translate into a peak/healthy DeGrom in Sept/Oct. he typically will start seasons in great form. I expect when he makes his 1st start he will be immediately the best pitcher on planet again.. So, I can wait for that. The standings dictate that approach. Let Williams get couple more starts in July and hope it means a WS rotation of, (by, game) 1DeGrom,2Max,3Walker/Megill/Bassitt or Player tbd (trade), 4DeGrom, 5 unused from Gm3, 6 Max, 7 DeGrom.
I’m still waiting for the Mets to trade jd davis and dom smith for cash to clear up 2 roster sports for the good players they will presumably add at the deadline
Well, it looks like they’ll have four catchers on the 26-man too, apparently. Lol.
Yea…. Smith can just be demoted and Davis is better than most teams 25th man so….
I’d like to agree but most 25th men on rosters is the backup catcher and I’d be shocked if he was worse than them lol I’m not a fan of Davis anymore. He’s been pressing at times and he’s not clutch. That high fastball keeps getting him
Ya got me there. I just don’t get all the Davis hate. Probably time to move on by next year but come playoff time we’ll be looking for a right handed pinch hitter if he’s gone.
All I’m saying is neither he or smith have trade value to other teams to where they would give Mets anything useful! It’s probably best Mets just keep them till their control over them expires bc again they aren’t worth anything to other teams via trade
Im with you Cosmo. Davis is not a world beater but he is solid hitter and “can” play the field at multiple positions. He may not be great but is atleast passable.
Im curious who people think they are getting for straight dollars that will be as valuable (dollar vs productivity) as remember the tax that will be paid as i think the mets are at or very close to the top level.
I am sad to say at this point if smith gets traded / released, i wouldn’t be heart broken at this point. I really wanted smith to work out but we cant have a Greg Bird / Ike Davis etc etc situation again. I have a feeling he will come around but with the mets he doesnt have a spot and dh is not working for him. I think a change of scenery maybe what is needed for both.
Davis cannot play multiple positions and is not passable at any one position. 3B included.
Davis is a + bench player imo. I’m comfortable w/him as my 1st RH PH, as well as spot starter. I believe Mets are better w/JD in line-up and playing in field than we are w/Dom. But, we may find a higher OBP alternative necessary if JD’s power doesn’t start to show….Could we see Vientos this year? Vientos will be a call up, I assume. He plays 3B/LF/1B bats R and absolutely pounds ball. He could be “the guy” come playoff time. If he adjusts to MLB pitching quickly he’d be a real asset on bench.. Baty is rated higher but doesn’t offer same power or positional flexibility.
I hope we get to see Vientos this year. He doesn’t seem quite ready yet but who knows?
Me too. I think Vientos is only behind Alvarez among our prospects. I think offensively he can help now. His k/bb rate is much better and he brings power to lineup that Escobar/JD can’t at 3B. Also, should be better BA and OBP wise….I think Vientos is a better compliment to this years roster than Baty would be. Especially as PH. Guillorme already provides what Baty could hope to contribute this year. AVG/OBP solid glove. Vientos gives us a legit power hitter who can be relied upon (more than JD or Dom) to put ball in play.
Describing Rodriguez and Shreve as “a little shaky” may be the understatement of the year!
Rodriguez good is horrible and Shreve is atrocious. Both should be released, particularly Shreve who is unwatchable.
No good* damn autocorrect
Rodriguez had me fooled for a few weeks. Started horribly, then pitched well, in a bunch of low leverage appearances mostly. But WE see who he is. Add pressure and he ll pitch himself into trouble. Walks/missed spots/not holding runners/unwillingness to challenge batters in zone, he’ll crumble. And it is all mental. He can’t be a guy we rely on in Sept/Oct….Shreve has stuff that can be effective, but really isn’t reliable. LHRP’s aren’t easy to find.and 9.8 so/9 earns him a chance to improve in my book though.
Holderman isn’t good, his stats are misleading like Drew Smith’s. For example, 2 days ago Drew Smith came in and walked 3 batters and then they brought in another reliever who induced a double play. ERA is misleasing when your eyes can clearly see whos good and whos not. I’d like the Mets to consider getting Bednar, Ian Kennedy, and Melancon. I’d prefer that they get Josh Hader but I don’t see the Brewers trading him. If the Whitesox decide to sell, Graveman or Hendriks would be an interesting addition
Lol you’re a mess dude. Holderman is good. He was hitting 99 with great movement on his secondary pitches. Why are Mets fans always doom and gloom? Just be happy the team looks legit for once.
Smith’s outing with the walk was a bad one but typically he throws strikes and walks very few. He has good movement and throws hard. He has become one of if not their best reliever outside of Diaz.
This seems like a super unrealistic want list. Bednar would cost a fortune (amazing young closer who’s not even Arb eligible until 2024), Hader is on a contender and would cost a fortune, Graveman and Hendriks are probably similarly untouchable. And Melancon has been atrocious.
Ian Kennedy might be the only one you listed who can be realistically acquired and is pitching well.
You’re a Mets hater and every fan knows it. Piss off you negative turd.
95% of the Mets losses this year has been by the bullpen. Even today they lost because of the bullpen. Diaz and Ottavino are tired from being overworked the whole season. They need to get better relievers to fill around them. Don’t you watch the games? Drew Smith, Holderman, Lugo, May, Shreve, they all have been awful this year. ERA is misleading. When Drew Smith gets brought in with runners on base he gives up a homerun almost every time but the runs dont count towards him. Again, watch the games
So your argument that Drew Smith is horrible and gives up a homerun every time he pitches?
He has given up 4 in 31. innings pitched, You know who else has given up around that many in those innings? Kenley Jansen with 3 and he is the 3rd highest person in saves for the league with a worse ERA than Smith.
I guess we should be able to call the entire Braves bullpen attrocious if their closer and best relief pitcher is barely better than garbage middle relievers like Drew Smith. But wait if the 3rd best closer is horrible does that mean there is only 2 decent relief pitchers in the entire MLB?
Kenley Jansen isn’t a great pitcher anymore. He can’t be trusted in the playoffs. Having the third most saves doesnt make you the third best reliever. I never said Kenley Jansen was some great reliever, you did. Kenley Jansen is much better than Drew Smith, I can tell you that. You don’t know what you’re talking about
Did you not say “Drew Smith, Holderman, Lugo, May, Shreve, they all have been awful this year.” and “Drew Smith gets brought in with runners on base he gives up a homerun almost every time but the runs dont count towards him. Again, watch the games”
Since Jansen the same with 1 less homerun and over a full ERA higher and their overall stats is not that far off from each other. Wouldnt Jansen be treated the same level?
You also have seem to have some major trust issues. I would trust a pitcher who regularly plays in the playoffs and last year gave up only 3 hits and 1 walk with 0 runs in 7 innings in high leverage situations. Or are you blaming the one inherited runner he let in that practically hit seager in the face in the NLCS? It probably should have been an error since it was in and out of his glove.
@Flyby Your guy Jansen just blew a 2 run save, hes really amazing
That’s a fake number homie. They’ve gone like 38-10 when scoring first this year so you’re cooked. Stop your nonsense. The bullpen is not their Achilles heal yet. The starters lately have been and when McNeil has been out. Stop it.
I believe our bullpen is top 10 in WHIP/ERA and so/9.. I believe we could use a better option for Lugo’s role. But Bednar or Hader would cost us, to start, Baty or Vientos. Which is already too much. I think, come Sept, we’ll have Megill in pen. His stuff would look great in 7th/8th inning of tight game. Diaz has been good this year and last. He’s enough as closer. To get someone better would require too much to acquire vs expected improvement.
If Mil crumbles Hader will be available. But Cubs,Reds, Pirates should keep them in WC race at least. ERA is better than “WINS” (for SP) but can be misleading at times. WHIP followed by OppOBA then so per 9 and K to BB ratio will tell you much more. Especially for a RP.. I’d imagine by Sept our bullpen will be bolstered by 3 of our current starters, Carrasco/Pederson/Megill/Williams or Walker. Our playoff rotation (I pray) will be 1st DeGrom-2 Max-3 Bassitt- 4th starter either Megill/Carrasco/Pederson/Walker (or a player added via trade)….Megill would profile as best guy in high leverage relief. He can get a SO, and has 2 pitches that are ++. It’d be nice to have him to turn to in 7th/8th of a tie game. Megill prime ex of misleading ERA. His is over 5. But take out the start he left injured in May and 2 starts he made prior to this trip to IL and you see a much different pitcher over many more innings. in 33IP he had .90 whip and 2.37 era. 36K 8BB…in 8ip since injury 2.5whip and 15.75 era. Did get 11K in those 8 innings though.
Contreras for Baty and Butto and a lottery pick and McCann. Cubs pay Willson’s contract but Mets pay half of McCann’s in 2023-2024.
LOL
That’s a garbage trade. Learn baseball better
You’re out of your element Donny
LOL. Baty for rental?
Donny, you are a Cubbie. Overvaluing Wilson. This is more realistic return from any team. contreras for Nido or McCann and 2 prospects ranked outside top 15 in our system. or 1 prospect ranked outside our top 9.. Wilson is 2 .month rental. I’d only even give up that much if McCann is a .220 hitter upon return. If Cubs want McCann Mets pay 7mil of salary unless McCann starts 100gm’s next year.. Then drops to 4 mil…Mets top prospect is a C. He’ll be up in ’23 for sure. We won’t even attempt to re-sign Vontreras.
Thank you for your reply. How do you explain Baez for PCA (top 5 prospect) last year?
I don’t know if Cohen or Eppler care about the CBT tax but it seems like trading McCann and paying a chunk of his underwater contract will alleviate that. Plus it will clear playing time for Alvarez next year.
And Willson is a three month rental, because the Mets are going all the way, right?
Yes, 3 month. I hope…..PCA for Baez wasn’t necessarily a rental. He was a guy who the Mets may have considered keeping. But I get your point. He was only guaranteed to be in NY 2 months. Baty is top 3B prospect in AA/AAA , so rated higher than PCA. But otherwise, very similar move. I admit… I don’t think the CBT tax is a consideration this year, or next. If McCann is hitting .225 he won’tbe in Alvarez’s way,…If Mets believe in health of DeGrom/Max and McCann doesn’t produce at plate, going all-in and overpaying for Contreras actually makes sense. The goal is WS. If Contreras helps us get there, even once, it is worth a top prospect. I just have to think the Mets would offer more in way of financial relief and prospects still couple years away.. Saying all that ; There will be multiple teams in playoff race that will want him. C isn’t a deep position. So he’ll fetch nice return I’m sure.
With SS locked up for a few years, SS Ronny Mauricio may be traded for left handed pitching. NYM shouldn’t trade C Francisco Alvarez. Both look good in AA
Alvarez is not going anywhere. Unless Trout, Ohtani or Devers is available, Alvarez will chill in AA and then AAA.
Interested to see if Scherzer is back at Binghamton for his 2nd rehab game. McCann is up which probably means Alveraz is the catcher? Is this telling? Shipping Scherzer 3 hrs (+/-) away instead of “down the street” to Coney Island for rehab assignment? Would it be a sign that if McCann falters, the Mets may just call up Francisco after all?
No. Not yet at least.
man i hope. AA to majors is tough jump.. But I’d give it shot as soon as I could. He couldn’t be worse at plate than we’ve had so far. I think he and Vientos could help this year. come playoffs, Alvarez bat on bench could be significant.
Mauricio can play third. He’s not out of a spot at all. Plenty of use for him.
Mets are buns
And me a Met fan on a no carb diet
Question: are you avoiding all carbs or have fruit in your diet? I’m doing carnivore and I lost 22 lbs in 30 days but I have some fruit a couple days a week. Curious to know your reasoning too. I too am a Met fan with super low to no carbs.
I was really just avoiding bread and pasta etc. and super sugary fruits. It was more a blood sugar thing than a weight thing. Right now I’m back to small amounts but testing things out. Gotta go back to the doc to see how things are going. Pre-diabetic at the very least, and had to go in for surgery (hip) so was being super cautious. I did lose 40 pounds on a low carb diet once but it took a little more than a year coupled with a lot of exercise. And I’m not that big, went from 206 to 165 so that’s pretty significant. Huge amounts of low calorie protein and fiber.
Hot dog or hamburger?
Hot cross.
DeGrom if he can stay healthy can be a special HOF candidate. Hopefully he can stay in the field and not be the second coming of Johan Santana.
If Santana maintained his health he was a sure HOF pitcher.