Edgy MD

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.

Tuesday night in April, with the Mets losing like they are getting a bonus for it — it's a good night to try to get your voice on the broadcast.

Yayy! I thought the Mets were on the run!

With 28 games (nine of them wins) under their belts, the 2026 Mets finally face their first division opponent as the Mets take the Acela down the coast to Washington DC host the Washington Nationals up from DC. Tuesdays in April being slow days at the gate, the Nats Mets are celebrating Bark at the Park Night, which should net some extra income, as dogs are crazy about the Ben's Chili Bowl Chiddy’s Cheesesteaks concession in left field by Section 132.

When the dust settled on the Mets doubleheader sweep at the hands of The Colorado Rockies, the heightened emotion of fan frustration and anger was cut by the tension of a morbid watch. Few expected that all the players and coaches that filed into the clubhouse after the debacle would be coming out still employed by the Mets. With a 48-hour turnaround to the next game and the barely warm body of an unsuccessful and unrelateable Mets team laying on something like rock bottom with arms askew, seasoned team-watchers new that this was the sort of environment that changes take place in. Few of those watchers were predicting a Tommy Pham-for-Austin Salter exchange, but baseball is full of surprises. But first, a look back. Transactions, 3/17/2026 COMING Resigned to Minor-League Contract, Assigned to St. Lucie Outfielder Sam Billler L/L DoB: 2002-07-07 High Level: A (2025) UCONN outfielder Sam Biller appeared in only six minor-league games after joining the Mets as an undrafted free agent, so one imagines he was more than a little bitter after getting cashiered last November. So imagine his surprise to wake up on St. Patrick's Day with news from his agent that the Mets wanted him back! No doubt the Mets were moved by Sam's really impressive facial hair density and the testosterone production that implied, but Sam has made the most of his second chance with St. Lucie, putting up a .359 / .457 / .436 // .892 line in his first 46 appearances back with St. Loo. Look for his rich and rough whiskers to be making an appearance with Brooklyn sometime soon Transactions, 3/27/2026 GOING Signed away by WAS to Minor-League Contract Relief Pitcher Jonah Conradt R/R DoB: 2004-11-02 High Level: NECL (2024) Sam Biller was positively overindulged compared to fellow undrafted 2025 signee Jonah Conradt. Jonah, despite his name anagramming to Johan, was signed on August 4, released on November 13, and did not take the mound for the Mets a single time. His results so far for the Nats' system gives a hint perhaps as to why, but still, we wish him the best. Say hi to our old friend Dicky Lovelady while you're bringing it for the Nats, Jonah. Transactions, 4/11/2026 GOING Signed away by MIN to Minor-League Contract Starting Pitchers Aaron Rozek L/L DoB: 1995-08-20 High Level: AAA (2025) Aaron Rozek didn't join affiliated baseball with the Twins until he was 25. He put together a decent enough career for five years there, but didn't get a sniff of an MLB callup before the Mets took him in the minor-league phase of the 2025 Rule V draft. This will hardly surprise you, because it is getting to be a theme, but Adam was released without appearing in a single game, and is now back in the Twins system, of all places. So, we're starting to get the idea that the Mets scouting department and development department aren't always on the same page. Which brings us up to today. Transactions, 4/27/2026 GOING GOING COMING COMING Demoted to Syracuse Designated for Assignment Claimed off Waivers from MIN, Demoted to Syracuse Signed away from MIA Relief Pitchers Outfielders Infielders Outfielders Austin Warren Tommy Pham Eric Wagaman Austin Slater R/R DoB: 1996-02-05 High Level: MLB (2026) R/R DoB: 1988-03-08 High Level: MLB (2026) R/R DoB: 1997-08-14 High Level: MLB (2026) R/R DoB: 1992-12-13 High Level: MLB (2026) As first reported yesterday, but made official, today, the Mets have given Tommy Pham something of a heave-ho following yesterday's double-header. While the theme if not the exact numbers of Pham's 0-for-13 showing in his second go-around with the Mets was predictable for many, one would be advised against placing too much of the blame squarely on Pham. Tommy wasn't signed until March 26 (aka Opening Day) and with no training camp to speak of, got only five games in A-ball to prepare for his season. Thus, it is perhaps a good time to return to Gary Cohen's declaration that Tommy could fall out of bed on January 1 and hit. That proposition has been tested and failed. Mets Roster Central does not see that as a recipe for success, no matter what profile or pedigree a guy brings with him. Maybe Pham smooths out some of his edges in AAA, and gets the spring training he never got back in Florida, or maybe the end of the line has come. The profile of the two new guys joining the organization — one at the big-league level and one in Syracuse — is more J.D. Davis than Tommy Pham. Each are strong righthanded guys who back up at all the corner positions, and in a pinch, can fake it in the middle of the diamond too. Austin (who, yes, rocks the evergreen nickname of AC) has more of J.D.'s punch, and so joins the MLB roster. He had some strong seasons in mixed roles for Giants from 2020-2023, but has been floating from team to team on the DFA train the last two years. Wagaman, well, is probably a great teammate, because while his long minor-league career is marked by consistency, he has yet to reveal a standout skill. He arrives just as fellow six-million-dollar man Austin Warren predictably gets the back of the Mets' hand. While neither Slater nor Wagaman promise to be the answer, MJ Martinez continues to be perhaps the Mets' second-best hitter, so maybe one of these guys falls of on the right side of the turnip truck and — for whatever time we and they are meant to be together — become part of the solution.

Newsday: David Lennon: David Stearns' makeover of the Mets is a big swing and miss early on - Newsday The Daily News: Mets disaster of a season are a result of David Stearns’s decisions (some terrible subject-verb agreement there) The New York Post: How Ste­arns, front office mis­cal­cu­lated — badly

Worth noting that we are just assuming Slater is joining the MLB roster. Largely because of this news being reported around the same time as the Pham news, folks are jumping to the conclusion that one is replacing the other. This is unconfirmed. Also, no human being is shit.

That's a hard back page to top.

The media are not a monolith. You and I posting here are the media, too. And plenty criticize management.

I was wondering if the Players-Only-Clubhouse-Meeting card has been played yet in 2026, and then I realized that there sort of is nobody to call one. With veterans like Nimmo, McNeil, Lindor, Diaz, and Alonso all gone like the dodo, Lindor, the last remaining culturally established vet is hurt and unable to take whatever he has to say out onto the field, sort of like David Wright, whose authority as captain was undermined by his long absences from the field. Plus, there's the whole The-Mets-will-never-have-a-captain statement from ownership sort of unintentionally cutting him off at the knees. So who would call such a meeting? Soto seems both naturally and intentionally aloof, and so, who makes the calls beyond that? Alvarez? Semien? Raley? The team is still such a loose assemblage of Strat-o-Matic cards, there is almost no there there. No flagbearer to rally around.