RECAP: Bartolo Colon tosses 6 solid frames as #Mets fall to Cards. https://t.co/gJdIFoAps0 pic.twitter.com/0mUllt10oS
— New York Mets (@Mets) March 28, 2016
Tell me if you’ve heard this one recently: The New York Mets lose again, this time to the St. Louis Cardinals.
- New York Mets 1 (7-14)
- St. Louis Cardinals 1 (9-13)
- Grapefruit League, Final, Box Score
- Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, FLA
Today was an important day during an otherwise meaningless game.
For one, it marked the return of ailing shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, who hadn’t played in spring training action since Mar. 10 (more on Cabrera below).
Secondly, it marked the 11 straight Grapefruit League game for the Mets without scoring more runs than their opposition.
Yes, that’s right – 11 straight fake baseball games without a win.
The St. Louis Cardinals were the streak-extenders on this day, providing just enough offense against an otherwise solid and commanding Bartolo Colon, who allowed three earned runs on 7 hits.
“Big Sexy” Colon’s last two starts of spring training: 2.25 ERA, 12.0 IP, 3 ER, 0 BB, 11 K.
Bartolo Colon says he has been put on notice to potentially work out of the bullpen during the opening series in KC.
— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinMedia) March 28, 2016
Weak Bats:
The Mets had their A-squad lineup out against the Cards today. Much like the first half of their pennant-winning season last year, they could barely muster more than a run.
Sure, the Varsity crew was without Michael Conforto and David Wright, who are dealing with separate back issues…although, both went yard in Sunday’s game nevertheless.
Michael Conforto is fine. Didn't want to put him in the lineup second straight day coming off back issue.
— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinMedia) March 28, 2016
Not all of today’s bats went limp, as Neil Walker stayed hot following a miserable beginning to the preseason.
Continuing his recent trend of hitting everything with stitches in sight, Walker led off the second inning with a double, and later scored on a ground out from Alejandro De Aza, tying the game at 1-1.
Oh, yeah, still no spring training homeruns from Yoenis Cespedes…what gives? Surely, there’s nothing to worry about. ‘La Potencia’ will make his mark come regular season baseball.
Good Health:
After signing a 2-year, $18.5 million deal this offseason with New York, Cabrera created an interesting dilemma after straining a patella tendon in left knee, nearly three weeks ago.
That, along with the release of Ruben Tejada, left the Mets with utility-man Wilmer Flores and unproven prospect Matt Reynolds as their only true options at short.
Luckily, Cabrera appears healthy again. Great news.
In a minor league rehab start on Sunday, Cabrera manned shortstop for four innings and finished with three hits in four at-bats.
Today, Cabrera finished after five innings of work at shortstop. He went 0-for-3 in first Grapefruit game since March 10.
Great Wealth:
These New York Mets have a wealth of outfielders at their disposal. Yoenis Cespedes, Michael Conforto, Curtis Granderson, Juan Lagares and De Aza.
All five players are tearing the diamond up this spring, each in their own way.
Their batting averages, in order: .359, .225 (Conforto’s back is to blame), .317, .317, .381
Clearly, this quintet is flaming hot, but there’s not enough room to keep them all on the roster.
The situation likely leaves De Aza on the outside looking in, without any real spot on this talented team. For the money he’s making – $6 million in one year – it’s a good idea for General Manager Sandy Alderson to explore trade options involving the 31-year-old outfielder, but certainly the ‘Baseball Maverick’ knows what he’s doing.
Belated Congrats:
If you want him to stay in the Big Apple, make sure you give Matt Harvey a “happy belated birthday” tweet soon. The flame-throwing right turned 27-years-yound yesterday.
He was scratched from his final appearance in Grapefruit League play, Tuesday, for a currently undisclosed ailment. Harvey is tabbed to be the man on the hill to open the 2016 season for New York.
What’s Next?
The Metropolitans return ‘home’ to Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie as the battle the Miami Marlins. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 pm ET. You can catch the game on SNY or MLB.TV.
Cheer Up:
Only four more meaningless springs games until the real action begins, as New York hunts for a return to the Fall Classic for the second consecutive year, and hopes to take home their first World Series title in 30 years.
The Mets open not just their season, but the major league season this Sunday night, April 3rd in Kansas City, on prime time television. They’ll battle the defending champion Royals in a mini inter-league series of two games.
Sandy Alderson said Matt Harvey may have to go to New York for further examination. He will not pitch the… https://t.co/P5s4UROUws
— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinMedia) March 28, 2016
Schoolin' guys 18 years younger than you. #BartoloColon pic.twitter.com/686TsPes8R
— New York Mets (@Mets) March 28, 2016
Dan Warthen isn't worried about Met bullpen: "You would like everybody to have 1 clunker, to get their butts kicked a little, wake them up."
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) March 28, 2016
