This upcoming week will give us a nice taste of what is to come for the New York Mets in 2018, starting with the debut of Jason Vargas.
Number 40 is back. But to the dismay of a good chunk of New York Mets fans, it’s not because Bartolo Colon is back in uniform for the Amazins’.
Instead, free agent acquisition starting pitcher Jason Vargas, who has chosen to don the number 40 jersey, will make his Spring debut this upcoming week. The left-hander will see his first action of 2018 when he takes the Marlins on Thursday.
Vargas is expected to be a key contributor the rotation after signing a two-year, $16 million deal with the Mets last Sunday. With Noah Syndergaard and Jacob deGrom anchoring the first two spots in the rotation, Vargas will find himself as the number three or four starter depending on how Matt Harvey performs in the preseason.
Syndergaard will toe the rubber Monday, as the Mets travel to West Palm Beach to face the Houston Astros. As for the rest of the key starters in the rotation, Matz will follow against the Astros on Tuesday and Matt Harvey against the Braves on Wednesday.
For Jacob deGrom’s debut, we will have to wait just a little longer. As MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo reported, deGrom still needs to throw a little more after missing several days of Spring workouts while welcoming the birth of his second child.
Jason Vargas will make his Mets debut Thursday against the Marlins. It'll be Noah Syndergaard tomorrow, Steven Matz on Tuesday and Matt Harvey on Wednesday. Jacob deGrom still needs to throw a little more after missing several days for the birth of his daughter.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) February 25, 2018
Other News and Notes
- The Mets are battling a minor injury plague only the second week of Spring Training. It may not nearly resemble the catastrophe that was the 2017 season, but it still is enough to raise your stress levels. Dominic Smith is battling a strained quad, while Jay Bruce deals with plantar fasciitis. Juan Lagares has a strained hamstring and Tim Tebow suffered a sprained ankle after tripping over an outfield sprinkler. The good news is Michael Conforto is progressing ahead of schedule. Even with all of the days off the club is giving him, he is expected to graduate from hitting off a tee to soft-tossing according to Mike Puma of the New York Post.
- Yoenis Cespedes may very well slot into the two hole in the lineup this season. Mickey Callaway has not committed to anything but did remark to Anthony DiComo that recent history shows that MVPs bat second.
Mickey Callaway says recent history shows that league MVPs bat second. Callaway went out of his way not to commit to anything, but it sure seems like Yoenis Cespedes will bat second for the Mets this season.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) February 25, 2018
- The four most important relievers on this staff debuted on Sunday. Jeurys Familia, Jerry Blevins, AJ Ramos, and Anthony Swarzak combined to allow two runs over four innings.
The Mets' top four relievers — Jeurys Familia, AJ Ramos, Jerry Blevins and Anthony Swarzak — all debuted today. They combined to allow two runs over four innings.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) February 25, 2018
- ESNY’s Nicholas Santuccio wonders if Dom Smith ruined his chances at breaking camp with the big club.
