Edgy MD

All the lefthanded batters reached for the Mets in the bottom of the first. All the righties made out.

Those of you concerned about the Mets launching last night's lineup with MJ Melendez batting fourth can rest easy. Tonight, MJ bats third. WASHINGTON Starting PItcher: Cade Cavalli (RHP) 0-1, 4.01 ERA Lineup: James Wood (L) DH Curtis Mead (R) 1B Brady House (R) 3B CJ Abrams (L) SS Jacob Young (R) CF Daylen Lile (L) LF Joey Wiemer (R) RF Nasim Nuñez (S) 2B Keibert Ruiz (S) C METS Starting PItcher: David Peterson LHP 0-3, 5.06 ERA Lineup: Bo Bichette (R) 3B Juan Soto (L) DH MJ Melendez (L) LF Francisco Alvarez (R) C Brett Baty (L) 1B Tyrone Taylor (R) CF Carson Benge (L) RF Marcus Semien (R) 2B Ronny Mauricio (S) SS

Binghamton had one of the best minor-league seasons in the organization's history last year. Talent concentrates at different levels from year to year.

That is one miserable game description.

The only problem I have with Freeman's position is that he made it public, letting umps and pitchers and catchers know he isn't arming himself with the same tools they have. Batters sort of have a disadvantage here. In order to work up your confidence, you have to program your mind — at least for the moment — with the notion of your indomitability. You are so potent and prepared and locked in that the only thing that could defeat you is the malicious conspiracy or supreme incompetence of others. That's all bullshit, of course, but you kind of go up there believing it anyway. You have to. So when a strike — especially a third strike — comes in on the corner, your first response is going to be "Oh, BULLSHIT!" Now, when you relax your muscles and take a sober second thought, you come to realize that the fault probably lies with you and your judgment, but the rule says that the challenge has to come immediately, before you get to step out and take that breath. And your first instinct is to double-down. Pitchers who feel like they executed their pitch but didn't get the call may have the same problem. This guy didn't give me the strike I earned and its damned personal! But the defense has the advantage of the catcher making the bulk of the challenges. And the catcher can be objective. His team has a stake in the call but there aren't any neurons firing in his head that says his manhood is on the line and the ump is undermining him personally.

Ewing's Syracuse debut couldn't have gone better, with him leading off, going three for four, with a walk, a double, a triple, two runs scored and three RBI in a 10-4 cakewalk over Lehigh Valley. Binghamton, on the other hand, was so sorry to see him go that they got no-hit.

The Mets saw in the possibilities of their opening game against the Nationals the prospect of the serious professional endangerment of their manager. On the other hand, they saw the tantalizing image of third place only three and a half games ahead of them. And for one glorious night, they pummeled their opponents without mercy. They crushed their enemies, saw their foes driven before them, and heard the lamentation of their women. This, amazingly, has left the 2026 Mets undefeated in division play. As unlikely as an entry into contention seems, one advantage they have is that virtually all of the intradivisional schedule lies before them. The other advantage they have as they deploy lefthander David Peterson against Cade Cavalli in Game Two? With Juan Soto nursing a strained forearm and Luis Robert, Jr. hampered by a stiff back? That second advantage is you!

Kimbrel's last two pitches there were 94.7 and 95.7. Maybe he has something left in the tank after all.

Is Taylor in there just for the defense and the work, or did I miss Melendez getting hurt?

Booth chatter has come around to discussion of The Princess Bride, and Howie Rose seemingly is completely unfamiliar with it.

Please don't believe that. The fifth inning has frequently been breached. And beyond is breachable country. Also, Carson Benge is in the interstate exit lane.

While we just saw Christian Scott last week, an unfortunate Injured List assignment should provide a little bit more of an open-ended opportunity for him to show his mettle and quality. If nothing else happens this season, establishing Scott and Jonah Tong alongside Nolan McLean in the Mets rotation would have to be counted as a win, potentially establishing a foundational stone to build on. They could, indeed, be MST3K — a term originated by our friend Greg Prince at the always-engaging Faith and Fear in Flushing to describe a future built on McLean, Brandon Sproat, and Tong. Brandon Sproat has been dealt to Milwaukee, but hope — along with promising pitchers whose name starts with S — has not Transactions, 4/28/2026 GOING COMING COMING Placed on 15-Day Injured List with Lumbar Spine Inflammation Promoted from Syracuse Transferred from St. Lucie to Syracuse on Rehab Assignment Starting Pitchers Starting Pitchers Relief Pitchers Kodai Senga Christian Scott Joey Gerber L/R DoB: 1993-01-30 High Level: MLB (2026) R/R DoB: 1999-06-15 High Level: MLB (2026) R/R DoB: 1997-05-03 High Level: MLB (2026) As noted above, two or three turns by Christian Scott gives him more of an open door than his previous appearance. Any anticipation, of course, is tempered by the reality that he missed all of 2025, and establishing himself as a big leaguer after a year in the ether at the top of the development chain is a tough ask. But hey, Roger McDowell pulled it off! Maybe he can pull a McDowell! Seeing as Senga's turn won't be coming around for a few days, one might have expected the Mets to add another reliever for a couple of games, being something close to a rule that if a big league team can add a reliever, they will, but a few days for Scott to get acclimated, —instead of having him step off a plane and onto a mound again — is something. Joey Gerber, whose head does not sit centered upon his neck in his thumbnail photo, is close to being ready.

While we just saw Christian Scott last week, an unfortunate Injured List assignment should provide a little bit more of an open-ended opportunity for him to show his mettle and quality. If nothing else happens this season, establishing Scott and Jonah Tong alongside Nolan McLean in the Mets rotation would have to be counted as a win, potentially establishing a foundational stone to build on. They could, indeed, be MST3K — a term originated by our friend Greg Prince at the always-engaging Faith and Fear in Flushing to describe a future built on McLean, Brandon Sproat, and Tong. Brandon Sproat has been dealt to Milwaukee, but hope — along with promising pitchers whose name starts with S — has not Transactions, 4/28/2026 GOING COMING COMING Placed on 15-Day Injured List with Lumbar Spine Inflammation Promoted from Syracuse Transferred from St. Lucie to Syracuse on Rehab Assignment Starting Pitchers Starting Pitchers Relief Pitchers Kodai Senga Christian Scott Joey Gerber L/R DoB: 1993-01-30 High Level: MLB (2026) R/R DoB: 1999-06-15 High Level: MLB (2026) R/R DoB: 1997-05-03 High Level: MLB (2026) As noted above, two or three turns by Christian Scott gives him more of an open door than his previous appearance. Any anticipation, of course, is tempered by the reality that he missed all of 2025, and establishing himself as a big leaguer after a year in the ether at the top of the development chain is a tough ask. But hey, Roger McDowell pulled it off! Maybe he can pull a McDowell! Seeing as Senga's turn won't be coming around for a few days, one might have expected the Mets to add another reliever for a couple of games, being something close to a rule that if a big league team can add a reliever, they will, but a few days for Scott to get acclimated, —instead of having him step off a plane and onto a mound again — is something. Joey Gerber, whose head does not sit centered upon his neck in his thumbnail photo, is close to being ready. Your 2026 New York Mets Starting Pitchers Starting Pitcher Starting Pitchers Starting Pitchers Starting Pitchers Clay Holmes Nolan McLean Freddy Peralta David Peterson Christian Scott R/R DoB: 1993-03-27 R/R DoB: 2001-07-24 R/R DoB: 2996-06-04 L/L DoB: 1995-09-03 R/R DoB: 1999-06-15 Relief Pitchers Huascar Brazobán Craig Kimbrel Sean Manaea Tobias Myers Brooks Raley Austin Warren Luke Weaver R/R DoB: 1989-10-15 R/R DoB: 32291 R/L DoB: 1992-02-01 R/R DoB: 1998-08-05 L/L DoB: 1988-06-29 R/R DoB: 1996-02-05 R/R DoB: 1993-08-21 Relief Pitchers Catchers Infielders Devin Williams Francisco Alvarez Luís Torrens Brett Baty Bo Bichette Ronny Mauricio MJ Melendez R/R DoB: 1994-09-21 R/R DoB: 2001-11-01 R/R DoB: 1996-05-02 L/R DoB: 1999-11-13 R/R DoB: 1998-03-05 S/R DoB: 2001-04-04 L/R DoB: 1993-11-29 Infielders Outfielders Marcus Semien Mark Vientos Carson Benge Luis Robert, Jr. Austin Slater Juan Soto Tyrone Taylor R/R DoB: 1990-09-17 R/R DoB: 1993-12-11 L/R DoB: 2003-01-20 R/R DoB: 1997-08-03 R/R DoB: 33951 L/L DoB: 1998-10-25 R/R DoB: 34356 Also on 40-Player Roster Starting Pitchers Relief Pitchers Tylor Megill Christian Scott Jonah Tong Alex Carrillo Reed Garrett Joey Gerber Justin Hagenman R/R DoB: 1995-07-28 R/R DoB: 1999-06-15 R/R DoB: 2003-06-19 R/R DoB: 1997-06-06 R/R DoB: 1993-01-02 R/R DoB: 1997-05-03 R/R DoB: 1996-10-07 On 60-Day Injured List with torn right UCL. With Syracuse With Syracuse On 60-Day Injured List — right UCL surgery and nerve relocation surgery. With St. Lucie on Rehab Assignment On 60 Day Injured List with fractured rib. Relief Pitchers Catchers Infielders A.J. Minter Dedniel Núñez Jonathan Pintaro Dylan Ross Austin Warren Hayden Senger Francisco Lindor L/L DoB: 1993-09-02 R/R DoB: 1996-06-05 R/R DoB: 1997-11-07 R/R DoB: 2000-09-01 R/R DoB: 1996-02-05 R/R DoB: 1997-04-03 S/R DoB: 1993-11-14 With Syracuse on Rehab Assignment On 60-Day Injured List — right UCL surgery. With Syracuse With Syracuse With Syracuse With Syracuse On 10-Day Injured List with Strained Left Calf Infielders Outfielders 0 Eric Wagaman Jorge Polanco Nick Morabito Jared Young R/R DoB: 35656 S/R DoB: 1999-11-13 R/R DoB: 2003-05-07 L/R DoB: 1995-07-09 On 10-Day Injured List with right wrist contusion. With Syracuse On 10-Day Injured List with torn left meniscus. Deslgnated for Assignment Outfielders 0 Tommy Pham R/R DoB: 32210 Your Mets Coaching Staff Manager Bench Coach Pitching Coach Hitting Coordinator Third Base Coach First Base Coach Bullpen Coach Ass't Pitching Coach Carlos Mendoza Kai Correa Justin Willard Jeff Albert Tim Leiper Gilbert Gomez José Rosado Dan McKinney DoB: 1979-11-27 DoB: 1989-07-14 DoB: 1990-09-09 DoB: 1992-08-16 DoB: 1996-07-19 DoB: 1992-03-08 DoB: 1974-11-09 DoB: 1989-06-06 Hitting Coach Strategy Coach Catching Coach Coaching Assistant Bat'g Practice Pitcher Equipment Manager Bullpen Catchers Bullpen Catchers Troy Snitker Danny Barnes J.P. Arencibia Rafael Fernandez Kevin Mahoney Kevin Kierst Eric Langill Dave Racaniello DoB: 1988-12-05 DoB: 1989-10021 DoB: 1986-01-05 DoB: 1988-08-03 DoB: 1987-05-11 DoB: 1964-07-09 DoB: 1979-04-09 DoB: 1978-06-03 Your Mets Training Staff Director of Player Health Head Athletic Trainer Assistant Athletic Trainer Reconditioning Coordinator Reconditioning Therapist Head Performance Coach Assistant Performance Coach Performance Coordinator Soft Tissue Specialist Brian Chicklo Joseph Golia Bryan Baca Sean Bardanett Josh Bickel Dustin Clarke Tanner Miracle Jeremy Chiang Hiroto Kawamura DoB:1972-07-17 DoB:1978-??-?? DoB:Circa 1980 DoB:1988-06-23 DoB:1996-??-?? DoB:1987-??-?? DoB:1991-??-?? DoB:????-??-?? DoB:22846 View full article

I would have imagined it. I mean, among other things, cleanup isn't really cleanup anymore. Additionally, well, lean times are nothing new, and looking in desperation to a modestly hot hand has happened before. They've been rotating different guys in and out of those three- and four-holes for weeks.

Things aren't so bad. I mean, I can see third place from here.

Oh, I am not dubious that there is real health issue at play.

Notice how the Mets are holding the Austin Slater missile in reserve.

WASHINGTON Starter: Zack Littell RHP 0-3, 7.56 ERA Lineup: James Wood (L) RF Luis García Jr. (L) 1B Brady House (R) DH CJ Abrams (L) SS Daylen Lile (L) LF Jacob Young (R) CF Jorbit Vivas (L) 3B Drew Millas (S) C Nasim Nuñez (S) 2B METS Starter: Clay Holmes RHP 2-2, 2.10 ERA Lineup: Bo Bichette (R) 3B Juan Soto (L) DH Francisco Alvarez (R) C MJ Melendez (L) LF Mark Vientos (R) 1B Brett Baty (L) RF Marcus Semien (R) 2B Carson Benge (L) CF Ronny Mauricio (S) SS

Some films have holes in the plot, but you really don't mind, because they do a really good job developing and commenting on the themes. This film has massive and ridiculous plot holes — which it takes its time opening, because it spends a lot of time on back story. Then they really think they cover those holes over with thematic development as noted above because they bring those themes hammering down on you over and over. But it doesn't seem to understand what it is selling at all. Some vague endorsement of family. This is the most ongoing theme in the FF comic books, but the film makers don't really understand the nuances of why that is important to the book's fans, and seem to be working from a third-hand explanation. That ignorance left bare, what you are left with is the silliness of the cosmic aspect of the Marvel universe. The real star here is the future modern design/style and the analog-based technology of the early-to-mid sixties, p placing this in a version of New York on an alternative planet. This should make a Mets fan/1964 World's Fair fan like me plotz. But even surrendering to that look requires that you check your mind and your soul. The color treatment makes money shots look two-dimensional. The obvious plastic surgery on the female stars' faces and the CGI manipulation of the baby's face is unsettling. Everybody talks about the four team members being geniuses, and Reed Richards being an uber-genius, but ... everything they do seems to be the dumbest possible choice, with the only exception being the dumb choice my wife and I made in sitting through the whole thing. The film was originally teased at the end of Spider-Man: Far From Home and the again in Dr. Strange and the Multi-Verse of Madness, but the powers that be kept the film itself from intersecting in any way with the rest of MCU so it's stink wouldn't stick to other properties. Go give another watch to The Incredibles, which was everything this movie set out to be, and everything this movie failed to be.

The hot seat was something of a sofa, with Mendoza joining Cora, Thomson, and Houston manager Joe Espada. It's down to Mendoza and Espada.

Imma guess this is the first time in baseball history that a GM's father is managing under him. Though it is fair to say that time could be short for both of them. The Phils employ a PoBO with a GM under him, so Preston Mattingly is just as viable a sacrificial lamb for president Dave Dombroski as Thomson was.

Carl's from Mookie Wilson-South Carolina Piedmont country. Agreed that the DFA kick is so obviously counter-productive and wasteful.

As for personnel changes, you can only work with the answers available to you. I don't think Texas is offering to reverse the Nimmo-for-Semien deal anytime soon. They're going to have to bop their way out of this, or not.

Waggy hasn't been signed so much as claimed. If things go somewhat decently — that is to say, if things turn around radically — the Mets won't get much of a chance to see him at any position. He is hopefully there more for rounding out the minor-league roster. But yeah, he's on the 40 for now, and if one of their corner guys gets hurt before Polanco gets healthy, it's Waggy Time.