Tag: tylor megill

Mets plan to start Francisco Alvarez at catcher on Sunday

Mets fans clamoring for a look at the future will get their wish Sunday from Francisco Alvarez.

Called up from Triple-A on Friday, Alvarez is expected to be the starting catcher Sunday against the Marlins, manager Buck Showalter revealed Saturday before Tomas Nido made his second straight start behind the plate.

Alvarez made his MLB debut last September during the thick of a division title race and hit 5-for-14 over five games while catching 13 innings.

Regarded as the Mets’ top prospect by Baseball America entering each of the last three seasons, Alvarez didn’t make the cut out of spring training after hitting .107 in 28 at-bats.

But he didn’t have to idle long because Omar Navarez suffered a medium-to-high-grade strain of his left calf that typically requires a recovery of at least eight weeks.

Carlos Carrasco is scheduled to pitch to Alvarez.

Navarez’s injury takes away the luxury of matching up Alvarez with pitchers he might be more comfortable with than others after spring training.

Want to catch a game? The Mets schedule with links to buy tickets can be found here.

“At some point, they have to be comfortable with you and you have to get comfortable with them, and there’s only one way to do that,” manager Buck Showalter said. “All the guys have no problem throwing to him. In fact, they embrace it.”

There is no question Alvarez’s bat can help the weak bottom half of the Mets’ lineup, but Showalter is hesitant to put both catchers in the lineup by DH-ing Alvarez.


Francisco Alvarez
Diamond Images/Getty Images

Alvarez’s challenge will be handling a MLB pitching staff.

“You can tell he’s very much into [that] part of the game,” Showalter said. “He knows that’s something he has to be good at. He chased it from the first day of spring, making pitchers confident with him. If they see you are preparing for their outing, it means a lot to them. It’s more than just hitting.”

Mark Canha made his 59th career start – but first since Sept. 23, 2020 with the Athletics – at first base Saturday against the Marlins.

The every-day left fielder played one inning there last season, per Baseball Reference, but re-sharpened his skills with infield coach Joey Cora during spring training.


Mark Canha
Mark Canha
MLB Photos via Getty Images

“This is not something new and experimental,” Showalter said. “We knew this might be coming.”

Canha’s versatility allowed the Mets to cut backup first baseman Darin Ruf at the end of camp.

The lineup change created a half-day-off for Pete Alonso (designated hitter) and allowed Tommy Pham (.308) to slide in for Daniel Vogelbach (.231).

It also takes some outfield wear-and-tear off of Canha’s body after he was hit in the calf by a pitch Friday.

“It’s good to be able to give Pete a day: He’ll never admit it, but he’s going to need it here and there,” Showalter said. “[Canha] is a very athletic guy – same reason why we felt comfortable playing him at third base some last year. He doesn’t look at a place he doesn’t play every day as a reason not to be good at it. Mark wants it.”

Tylor Megill was struck in the leg by a comebacker in Friday’s start.

He stayed in the game. Any day-after concern?


Tylor Megill
Getty Images

“So far, so good,” Showalter said of the message from the trainers. “I don’t think it’s going to be an issue for his next start. I’m trying to maneuver some things with the rotation to make sure everybody gets the proper rest.”

The plan was to examine Megill on Saturday before deciding if further imaging is needed, Showalter said.

Check out our Latest News and Follow us at Facebook

Original Source

Pete Alonso’s value and other early thoughts on 2023 Mets

MIAMI — Some things thought of while wondering why the replay man keeps getting it wrong, and sometimes also takes forever before dispending his/her misjudgment.

Pete Alonso may or may not be the Mets’ best all-around player. But he has to be their most indispensable player.

Alonso was walked his first two times up Saturday, which might have something to do with Marlins starter Edward Cabrera not having much clue about the strike zone early. Or maybe it was because Cabrera knew better than to let Alonso beat him. Alonso avoidance should be the goal of every pitcher facing the Mets.

“I can’t worry if they’re trying to avoid me,” Alonso said after his double accounted for the go-ahead run in the Mets’ 6-2 victory over the Marlins. “I just try to focus on getting a ball in my area, and if it’s in my area, I try to capitalize.”

Given his first chance of the day, Alonso drove a slider from Marlins lefty reliever Andrew Nardi into the left field corner to drive home good friend Jeff McNeil and put the Mets ahead for good. He led the majors in RBIs last year (tied with the amazing Aaron Judge) when he had a quality, and diverse lineup but no other bona fide sluggers around him, and he may be on his way to repeating in a similar situation.

Steve Cohen obviously came close to acquiring superstar Carlos Correa for $315 million before an issue with his ankle caused the Mets to kill that deal. So Alonso is back in the same spot as the lone true middle-of-the-order banger.


Mets first baseman Pete Alonso
USA TODAY Sports

Alonso is known for being at his best in Home Run Derbies, when the pitcher is trying to serve it up to him (Ex-Mets coach Dave Jauss is the favored specialist for that). But he’s perfectly adept when pitchers are doing everything they can to make sure he doesn’t beat them, too.

Starter Tylor Megill’s specialty seems to be filling in for a legend. This time it was Cooperstown-bound Justin Verlander, who was out of action with a low-grade strain of the teres major muscle (armpit area), and Megill came up with his second-most important win of his career, surviving five solid innings. Last year while filling in for Cooperstown-bound Max Scherzer on Opening Day, Megill threw five shutout innings at Washington, winning 5-1.

Megill denied replacing a legend is his specialty. He said, “It’s not like I’m trying to fill his shoes, I’m just trying to fill his spot.”

Brooks Raley is quite a weapon out of the bullpen. When the Mets acquired him at the winter meetings, few noticed. That may be because superstars were coming off the board left and right — some to the Mets, who signed Verlander at the meetings, and re-signed Brandon Nimmo just after the meetings.

Anyway, Raley looks outstanding for the Mets. I can see why they acquired him. And I can see why they pulled him from the World Baseball Classic at the slightest hint of a hamstring issue.

If he was ever really hurt, he clearly is not now. He looked dominant in his first Mets outing, then came in to get the key out Saturday, inducing Jazz Chisholm Jr. to ground out to second base as the potential tying runner in the seventh.

“He comes in, throws strikes and has multiple weapons,” Showalter said. “It’s a good addition for us.”

Frankly it’s just nice to see the Mets employing a competent lefty out of the pen after enduring the Joely Rodriguez Era.

It might be time to start worrying about Eduardo Escobar, who had a .286 OPS in spring and looks about the same at the start of the season.

“[The Mets] are giving up way too many outs before the game even starts,” a scout said.


Mark Canha
USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

The Mets are concerned about Escobar, but they say they will give him more time. Really, there’s little choice. Though Brett Baty, the No. 21 prospect in MLB, had a big game yesterday, he needs more seasoning. Only prodigies like Nolan Arenado and Manny Machado skip Triple-A entirely. The likes of Ronald Acuna Jr., Yordan Alvarez and Kris Bryant all had hundreds of Triple-A at-bats before their call-ups.

I don’t get the point of replays when they refuse to overturn wrong calls. Marlins first baseman Garrett Cooper clearly appeared to come off the bag while reaching for third baseman Jean Segura’s throw, seeming to allow Alonso to reach safely.

“I saw it that way too,” Showalter said. “That’s another one where I guess in their mind there wasn’t enough to overturn it.”

The replay official somehow stuck with the out call. That’s two days in a row that happened. On Friday, Nimmo appeared safe at first on a ground ball to shortstop, but after an interminable delay, the umpires announced the call would stand. It’s to the point where we wonder if replay officials don’t want to offend the umpires.

I love all the new rules. But here’s a rule they might consider: Overturn calls that are very likely wrong. Don’t worry about offending the umpire. They know they are just guessing on bang-bang plays, anyway. Or should know.

Check out our Latest News and Follow us at Facebook

Original Source

Mets’ Tylor Megill getting second shot at rotation

MIAMI — Tylor Megill was playing catch to prepare for his scheduled Opening Day start with Triple-A Syracuse when he received the unexpected message from members of the coaching staff: He was headed back to the Mets.

And so, only three days after saying goodbyes to teammates in Port St. Lucie, the right-hander flew into South Florida on Thursday night with another opportunity.

Megill is the rotation replacement for Justin Verlander, who was placed on the 15-day injured list after he was diagnosed with a low-grade strain, near his right armpit, of the teres major muscle.

The Mets co-ace is expected to continue playing catch and will be reevaluated this week — he likely will skip the Mets’ trip to Milwaukee and return ahead of the team to New York, according to manager Buck Showalter.

Megill will receive his first opportunity on Saturday, against the Marlins. In taking Verlander’s rotation spot, he also lines up to pitch Thursday’s home opener, also against the Marlins.


Tylor Megill
AP

“You have a lot of emotions and whatnot,” Megill said Friday before the Mets’ 2-1 loss to the Marlins at loanDepot park. “But things don’t change. You come up here and compete and do to the best of your capabilities.”

The Mets didn’t see the best version of Megill late in spring training as he struggled with his command while battling David Peterson for a rotation spot.

Peterson won the job created by Jose Quintana’s absence, as the left-hander recovers from rib surgery that will keep him sidelined for at least half the season.

“In [Megill’s] situation, he was doing some things to try to make the club,” Showalter said. “I think now that he’s here and he’s going to get a chance to pitch … it’s harder to stay here than it is to get here. He’s very mature about it, him and [Peterson] both. They understand what we’re trying to do and where we are and what they need to do for us to be successful.

“[Megill] approached it a little different than say Max [Scherzer] or Justin did, and rightfully so. He’s working on some things, but when the game starts he got out of sync a little command wise, which is not him, but he showed enough. I thought he had a real good couple of first outings and then some of the command got away from him a little bit at the end.”

Last season Megill was the Mets’ Opening Day starter and pitched to a 1.93 ERA in his first five starts.

But Megill sustained a lat strain that sidelined him and after his return was diagnosed with a shoulder impingement that kept him on the IL into September.

Upon his return he was used from the bullpen.

Showalter was pleased with the rotation depth the Mets had to begin camp with Peterson and Megill on standby, but now the realization has hit that the team is one starting pitching injury away from going with a less-tested option such as Joey Lucchesi or Jose Butto.


Tylor Megill
AP

The team also recently signed Dylan Bundy to a minor-league contract and is stretching him out in extended spring training.

Megill reported to camp noticeably leaner this year because of the added cardiovascular stress he would face dealing with the pitch clock.

Pitching coach Jeremy Hefner has surmised that Megill’s weight loss might have been responsible for some of his command issues this spring as he learned to pitch in his new body.

And Megill said he is hopeful that pitching in a game that counts might give him a boost.

“It’s really the emotions, the adrenaline, just go out there and compete,” Megill said. “I don’t really think about my effort level. I just go at them with all the intensity that I can.”

Check out our Latest News and Follow us at Facebook

Original Source

All Mets pitchers making most of opportunity

PHILADELPHIA — Pitching coach Jeremy Hefner was in a hurry, running late to a meeting as the Mets prepared for batting practice before their game against the Phillies on Friday night.

With questions to ask, we turned to the assistant pitching coach.

The person holding that unofficial title for the Mets has won three Cy Young awards and needs one win to reach 200 for his career.

“You’re not far off, because I am older than Hef,” said 38-year-old Max Scherzer, nodding in approval at the assistant pitching coach moniker.

Carlos Carrasco, in recent days, hit the injured list with an oblique strain and Taijuan Walker is now dealing with a bulging disk in his back that still had him questionable for his Sunday start. The Mets will play a doubleheader on Saturday at Citizens Bank Park, in which they will deploy David Peterson and Trevor Williams in some order as the starting pitchers. If Walker can’t pitch Sunday, Jose Butto from Triple-A Syracuse might make his major league debut.

From Scherzer, we wanted to know if he thought the Mets’ success this season plugging the rotation had toughened that unit. After all, the Mets were without Jacob deGrom for four months to start the season and Scherzer himself was sidelined for nearly seven weeks.

The assistant pitching coach agreed with the premise, but thought it could be stated differently.

Max Scherzer
N.Y. Post: Charles Wenzelberg

“Different guys have had an opportunity to step up and contribute to this team,” Scherzer said before the Mets’ 7-2 victory. “Trevor Williams, Tylor Megill and David Peterson in particular, those guys have answered the call more often than not and they have gone out there and delivered really good outings for our team and those guys going out there and getting an opportunity to showcase what they can do, that is a credit to their work behind the scenes and everybody around them to allow them to perform at a high level.”

Their chief NL East competition, the Braves and Phillies, added starting pitching at the trade deadline, but the Mets stood pat, instead focusing on platoon hitters and the bullpen. The Braves got Jake Odorizzi and the Phillies traded for Noah Syndergaard, who is receiving extra rest this weekend and won’t face the Mets.

In determining that deGrom’s return would be enough of a trade deadline boost, the Mets banked on Peterson, in particular, as their best line of defense against a rotation gap. The left-hander has pitched to a 3.30 ERA in 18 appearances for the Mets this season, 14 of which have been starts.

“I think he’s at the phase of his career where now he is trying to truly establish himself and be consistent, have three pitches every single outing and be able to throw strikes on a consistent basis,” Scherzer said. “He’s identified something he wants to get better at, and he is going out there and doing something about it.”

Williams has shuffled between the rotation and bullpen, and his best success has occurred in relief.

“He has been the Swiss Army knife of this team and for this pitching staff,” Scherzer said. “Whether it is pitch in relief, pitching long out of relief, making spot starts, I guess fans don’t understand how difficult that is, that is an extremely difficult role to fill because you don’t know when you are going to pitch.”

It’s clear Scherzer is enjoying himself almost as much on his days between starts as when he is pitching. This staff has coalesced, with Scherzer perhaps the glue that has strengthened the bonds the tightest.

But Scherzer won’t take that credit alone. In the bullpen, there are veterans Adam Ottavino and Tommy Hunter (set to return from the IL on Sunday). Chris Bassitt, who shined in the series opener Friday, is an ace at reacting to what he sees from the opponent, according to Scherzer, and imparts that to other members of the pitching staff.

Scherzer has his own approach, especially with younger pitchers such as Peterson and Megill.

“The young guys, it’s trail crumbs,” Scherzer said. “You can’t give them the whole cookie. You have got to give them little crumbs and just take one little thing at a time, like, ‘You need to do this to get from here to there.’ That is the hard thing when I am talking to young guys is just to take it gradually, because they want the cookie. They want to know everything and they don’t realize you have got to do one thing at a time.”

Solid advice from the assistant pitching coach.

Check out our Latest News and Follow us at Facebook

Original Source

Exit mobile version