The name Doug Fister is floating out there while Zack Wheeler gets hammered. That and more in this edition of New York Mets Amazin’ News.
Friday night wasn’t exactly the return to baseball New York Mets starting pitcher Zack Wheeler had in mind. In addition to getting blown up for five runs over four innings, his team dreadfully fell to the Miami Marlins.
The stage is yours, @ChristianYelich! ⚾️?
?: https://t.co/vDseZWG5X1#LetsGoFish pic.twitter.com/Lvrek7iZDA
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) April 8, 2017
What a beautiful piece of hitting. ?
?: https://t.co/p0FHa82CBZ#LetsGoFish pic.twitter.com/mR7jl9fmHU
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) April 7, 2017
Even the opposing pitcher, Wei Yen Chen, who’s never collected a hit in his life (60-plus at-bats), got to Wheeler on this night:
First career hit? Wei to go!#PitchersWhoRake ? pic.twitter.com/5SKXerktSh
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) April 8, 2017
On the positive side of things, Yoenis Cespedes cranked his first home run of the year in garbage time.
.@ynscspds crushes his first homer of the year!
7-2 Miami | Bot-8 pic.twitter.com/gJQmOM9UTp
— New York Mets (@Mets) April 8, 2017
Off the field, Jon Heyman noted that Sandy Alderson and his henchmen have reached out to Houston Astros veteran pitcher Doug Fister. It’s hard to imagine the Mets needing a starter, considering the club’s incredible depth, but with Steven Matz and Seth Lugo on the shelf (and Wheeler slowly coming back), it may be an avenue to consider.
One rival scout pointed out, “How many other teams could afford to see two starting pitchers go down?” But alas, even the Mets will look for depth, reports Joel Sherman of MLB Network and the New York Post.
The Mets’ one real weakness: the defense. “No one has range, and d’Arnaud can’t throw anyone out,” says a scout, also notes Heyman.
Mark W. Sanchez of the New York Post discusses how Gavin Cecchini is currently training to be the Mets ultimate utility man.