Edgy MD

The 24 thing is not an extension of 14. It is a stand-alone decision honoring a promise made before Mays joined the team.

Fourth place for a day was fun! Is that Steve Gelbs and Jose Reyes in the studio? Weird.

Man, was Bichette over-swinging. Take it easy, man. Remember who is hitting behind you.

Finally walks on ball six.

Carson Benge has seen five balls here.

Brujan has gun.

I'm glad that Benge didn't slide that time.

The Mets were not "long-established" before Casey Stengel was hired. Whatever one's opinion on the retirement of 37, that's just not an accurate statement.

I listed TEN lovely potential honors for him! TEN!

Every day seems to bring one more exciting young Mets prospect. Returning to joint the Mets today is a starter, who — lest it be forgotten — was the best pitcher in the minors last season Transactions, 5/22/2026 GOING COMING Designated for Assignment Sent to St. Lucie on Rehab Assignment Promoted from Syracuse and Transferred from Rotation Relief Pitchers Starting Pitchers Relief Pitcher Craig Kimbrel Kodai Senga Jonah Tong R/R DoB: 1988-05-28 High Level: MLB (2026) L/R DoB: 1993-01-30 High Level: MLB (2026) R/R DoB: 2003-06-19 High Level: MLB (2026) It's exciting to see Jonah Tong back — and with him the full assembly of Generation MST3K (McLean-Scott-Tong, as first designated by Faith and Fear in Flushing), but as we go to print, it is unclear what Jonah's role will be. The Mets appear to have a full rotation in place. That could change, bug for now, it appears Tong will be a bulk reliever — perhaps with the Mets trying to introduce him with the protection they have been affording David Peterson, giving him an something of a starter-like innings burden, but with protection against opposing managers stacking the lineup with opposite-side hitters. Tong has not shown much of his 2025 form this season, and has struggled particularly with his control, up to and including his last start. He hasn't pitched in eight days, and maybe the Mets are planning to convert him to a traditional reliever. He has a relatively slight build, not unlike Luke Weaver. But the Dodgers looked at Pedro Martinez' build and didn't see a starter. They chose ... poorly. But you yourself should choose to tune in and see the Mets, with three rookies in their outfield and several more in and out of their starting rotation. Welcome to the future.

Every day seems to bring one more exciting young Mets prospect. Returning to joint the Mets today is a starter, who — lest it be forgotten — was the best pitcher in the minors last season Transactions, 5/22/2026 GOING COMING Designated for Assignment Sent to St. Lucie on Rehab Assignment Promoted from Syracuse and Transferred from Rotation Relief Pitchers Starting Pitchers Relief Pitcher Craig Kimbrel Kodai Senga Jonah Tong R/R DoB: 1988-05-28 High Level: MLB (2026) L/R DoB: 1993-01-30 High Level: MLB (2026) R/R DoB: 2003-06-19 High Level: MLB (2026) It's exciting to see Jonah Tong back — and with him the full assembly of Generation MST3K (McLean-Scott-Tong, as first designated by Faith and Fear in Flushing), but as we go to print, it is unclear what Jonah's role will be. The Mets appear to have a full rotation in place. That could change, bug for now, it appears Tong will be a bulk reliever — perhaps with the Mets trying to introduce him with the protection they have been affording David Peterson, giving him an something of a starter-like innings burden, but with protection against opposing managers stacking the lineup with opposite-side hitters. Tong has not shown much of his 2025 form this season, and has struggled particularly with his control, up to and including his last start. He hasn't pitched in eight days, and maybe the Mets are planning to convert him to a traditional reliever. He has a relatively slight build, not unlike Luke Weaver. But the Dodgers looked at Pedro Martinez' build and didn't see a starter. They chose ... poorly. But you yourself should choose to tune in and see the Mets, with three rookies in their outfield and several more in and out of their starting rotation. Welcome to the future. Your 2026 New York Mets Starting Pitchers Nolan McLean Freddy Peralta David Peterson Christian Scott Zach Thornton R/R DoB: 2001-07-24 R/R DoB: 2996-06-04 L/L DoB: 1995-09-03 R/R DoB: 1999-06-15 L/L DoB: 2002-01-17 Relief Pitchers Huascar Brazobán Sean Manaea Tobias Myers Brooks Raley Jonah Tong Austin Warren Luke Weaver R/R DoB: 1989-10-15 R/L DoB: 1992-02-01 R/R DoB: 1998-08-05 L/L DoB: 1988-06-29 R/R DoB: 2003-06-19 R/R DoB: 1996-02-05 R/R DoB: 1993-08-21 Relief Pitchers Catchers Infielders Devin Williams Hayden Senger Luís Torrens Bo Bichette Brett Baty Vidal Brujan MJ Melendez R/R DoB: 1994-09-21 R/R DoB: 1997-04-03 R/R DoB: 1996-05-02 R/R DoB: 1998-03-05 L/R DoB: 1999-11-13 S/R DoB: 1998-02-09 L/R DoB: 1993-11-29 Infielders Outfielders Marcus Semien Mark Vientos Carson Benge A.J. Ewing Nick Morabito Juan Soto Tyrone Taylor R/R DoB: 1990-09-17 R/R DoB: 1993-12-11 L/R DoB: 2003-01-20 L/R DoB: 2004-08-10 R/R DoB: 2003-05-07 L/L DoB: 1998-10-25 R/R DoB: 1994-01-22 Also on 40-Player Roster Starting Pitchers Relief Pitchers Clay Holmes Tylor Megill Kodai Senga Alex Carrillo Daniel Duarte Reed Garrett Justin Hagenman R/R DoB: 1993-03-27 R/R DoB: 1995-07-28 L/R DoB: 1993-01-30 R/R DoB: 1997-06-06 R/R DoB: 1996-12-04 R/R DoB: 1993-01-02 R/R DoB: 1996-10-07 Relief Pitchers Catchers Infielders A.J. Minter Dedniel Núñez Jonathan Pintaro Dylan Ross Francisco Alvarez Francisco Lindor Ronny Mauricio 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: 2001-11-01 S/R DoB: 1993-11-14 S/R DoB: 2001-04-04 Infielders Outfielders Jorge Polanco Luis Robert, Jr. Jared Young S/R DoB: 1999-11-13 R/R DoB: 1997-08-03 L/R DoB: 1995-07-09 Designagted for Assignment Relief Pitchers Outfielders Craig Kimbrel Austin Slater R/R DoB: 1988-05-28 R/R DoB: 1992-12-13 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

Nobody watching this shit? It's a 1-1 tie. Manaea has been doing well in relief, but just gave up the go-ahead run (2-1 now) after something of a jive triple. Marlins uniforms make me want to adjust the analog reception on my screen.

Sure the Mets Hall is plenty, but I'm trying to find a way to satisfactorily compromise with those who want more, and so shut down this unofficial retirement, which becomes more official every year. And I'm trying to hopefully shake up the lazy mindset that (a) number retirement is defining way to honor an honorable person, and (b) to not so honor an honorable figure is somehow an insult. It's not.

Debut of the all-rookie outfield!! METS Starting Pitcher: Tobias Myers RHP 0-1, 3.41 ERA Lineup: Carson Benge (L) RF Bo Bichette (R) SS Juan Soto (L) DH Mark Vientos (R) 1B Brett Baty (L) 3B Marcus Semien (R) 2B A.J. Ewing (L) CF Nick Morabito (R) LF Luis Torrens (R) C MIAMI Starting Pitcher: Eury Pérez RHP 2-6, 5.33 ERA Lineup: Xavier Edwards (S) 2B Liam Hicks (L) 1B Connor Norby (R) 3B Kyle Stowers (L) DH Jakob Marsee (L) CF Esteury Ruiz (R) LF Owen Caissie (L) RF Joe Mack (L) C Javier Sanoja (R) SS The key to the game, and the whole damn series? Bury Eury in a hurry.

I don't mean to suggest that. I think these players are here to compete. Sellers, shmellers.

We need more Tong puns.

Wow. Going all in damned fast.

I laughed. Thank you for that.

It was kinda disgraceful the way the Mets re-assigned Gary Carter's old hair to Charlie O'Brien. As if we wouldn't notice!

Image courtesy of Rafael Suanes — Imagn Images After the punch to the gut that was the Mets in April, a stronger May makes for sweeter times, with the tasty cherry on top that is the callup of Nick Morabito, joining Carson Benge and AJ Ewing in an outfield marked by youth, speed, and plate discipline. The Mets were less than disciplined in how they chose to introduce Morabito though, and in stewarding the team's legacy, it seems they have a surfeit of trouble getting out of their own way. They need your help, and you can make your voice heard in the Grand Central Mets forums. It's Morabito Time Tired of retread guys from other organizations trying to find a Metly identity, well, every day, new guys are being born into their Mets indentity, and this week, the Mets welcomed a neonate with a fresh set of magnificently fast legs, a fresh batting eye at the plate, and an old number, And yeah, they kind of screwed it up. One Hundred Ways to Honor Gary Carter Without Retiring the Number 8 Number retirements have grown old, tired, and stale. The honor has been watered down, and there is a finite amount of two-digit identifiers available to issue, so baseball's lack of creativity has set it on a crash course with history. None of that means figures like the celebrated late Mets catcher Gary Carter is unworthy of honor. Just ... you know ... let's think outside of the very small box of number retirement in doing that. Clay Holmes has a Fractured Tibia Fibula Somehow, a good reliever has been turned into a very good starter by the Mets. There Clay Holmes was, perched atop a Mets rotation that had others vying for ace status, before a liner off his leg knocked him off his perch. How do we help the Mets solve these and other problems? Help us get there at The Grand Central Mets forums. A great community of thoughtful Mets fans needs YOUR VOICE! View full article

I don't say no, but it seems pretty thumbheaded in this age of social media, where loud minorities with the time on their hands cand convince the world that they are the majority and the voice of the people, to run this as a trial balloon. As noted in the 100 Ways to Honor Gary Carter, there are all sorts of ways for a professional organization to utterly anticipate the blowback and get ahead of it with an ounce of foresight and a tablespoon of creativity.

Met Roster Central apologizes for not being available for roster updates the last week or so. Our massive array of computers were in the shop, and maybe our pants were at the cleaners, but our hearts were right there in our chests, beating a Metly beat. As the roster starts getting populated with fewer journeymen and more homegrown rookies, that beat only gets louder. Transactions, 5/15/2026 COMING Signed away from Jalisco (Mexican League) to Minor-League Contract, Assigned to Binghamton Cleared Waivers, Assigned to Syracuse Sent to St. Lucie on Rehab Assignment Relief Pitchers Infielders Outfielders Max Green Andy Ibáñez Jared Young L/L DoB: 1996-05-28 High Level: AA (2021) R/R DoB: 1993-04-03 High Level: MLB (2026) L/R DoB: 1995-07-09 High Level: MLB (2026) Former Tigers prospect Max Green comes the Mets after a few years in indy ball, capped by an impressive start to his Mexican League campaign. He is not the son of Mets farm director Andy Green, but while checking that possibility out, we did learn that he is a fan of surfing, snowboarding, and fellow lefthander Jimi Hendrix. Hang ten, Dude! Jared Young got the lefthanded bat off the bench/fifth outfielder role after an injury to Mike Tauchman coming out of camp. While Young got off to an impressive start (.350 / .391 / .450 // .841 through 23 plate appearances), he was succeeded in his roster spot by MJ Melendez and MJ was the Mets best hitter while things were at their bleakest. So we may have a roster showdown between two guys, each believed to have a single option year. Andy Ibáñez didn't really have a role — he was an infielder used as an outfielder against lefties in lean times that we shall not speak of again — in his short time with the Mets. We're happy to see him stay in the organization following his DFA, as the team always needs Cubano journeymen infielders. Transactions, 5/16/2026 GOING COMING Placed on 15-Day Injured List with Fractured Right Fibula Released Promoted from Syracuse Starting Pitchers Catchers Relief Pitchers Clay Holmes Daniel Silva Joey Gerber R/R DoB: 1993-03-27 High Level: MLB (2026) S/R DoB: 2025-01-21 High Level: Rk (2025) R/R DoB: 1997-05-03 High Level: MLB (2026) Nobody wanted to see Clay Holmes hurt. He had emerged as the ace of a staff that had several qualifiers vying for that title, including big-name import/Opening Day starter Freddy Peralta and Rookie of the Year candidate Nolan McLean. Beyond that, his unlikely level of success after transitioning from relief was one of the dwindling hooks on which to hang the idea that Mets management knows what they are doing. But what is a greater test of management than how good the next soldier (and the next soldier and next) is when the first goes down? It's a game of attrition, more than ever, and if there's anything good to say about a fractured fibula incurred after absorbing a comeback liner, well, it sure beats an exploded UCL or a case of thoracic outlet syndrome or the like. Until the Mets add a replacement starter, the bullpen is expanded (as teams will always seek to do) by one, with Joey Gerber and his awesome set of dimples returning from history's longest assignment for the purpose of rehabbing from blisters. It's a mad world. We at Mets Roster Central cannot control it. We can only describe it in madness. Venezuelan catcher Daniel Silva signed back in 2021 and Mets Roster Central never got a photo of him, as even his signing photo was with several players all masking up, leaving him indistinguishable from his fellow signees. The switch-hitter put up terrific walk rates but could not climb the latter due to trouble staying healthy and, in 2025, a plummeting batting average (.188, but still with a strong OBP). He never got on the field in 2026. Transactions, 5/17/2026 GOING Released Relief Pitchers Luke Jackson R/R DoB: 1991-08-24 High Level: MLB (2026) Cool-Hand Luke Jackson (his actual nicknames are the equally obvious "Fireman" and "Skywalker") was almost impressively wild (seven walks in 4 2/3 innings) in his short stint with Syracuse. This is a problem that has come and gone over his long career. The former Braves closer (for half of 2018 anyhow) may or may not get another call from a seventh organization before the year is out, but cut loose by the Mets six weeks after signing his career does seem to be close to sunsetting. If so, and mind-numbingly gaudy championship ring won with the 2021 Braves, along with this video of Skywalker cuddling his newborn son on the field after pitching in Game Three of that year's World series, has to make for the most impossibly garish and incredibly sweet pair of career keepsakes. Transactions, 5/18/2026 GOING COMING Demoted to Syracuse Transferred from 15- to 60-Day Injured List Added to 40-Player Roster and Promoted from Syracuse Added to 40-Player Roster and Demoted to Syracuse Relief Pitchers Joey Gerber A.J. Minter Daniel Duarte Anderson Severino R/R DoB: 1997-05-03 High Level: MLB (2026) L/L DoB: 1993-09-02 High Level: MLB (2025) R/R DoB: 1996-12-04 High Level: MLB (2024) L/L DoB: 1994-09-17 High Level: MLB (2026) It isn't clear why the Mets would add Anderson Severino to the 40-Player Roster without promoting him to the big leagues, but there is clearly some reason he is part of this flurry of activity. Experience suggests to Mets Roster Central that Anderson had an opt-out if he was not added to the roster by this date, and his terrific 0.98 ERA through 18 1/3 International League innings so far suggests he is not somebody they want to let walk. (A fun Anderson Severino fact is that that 0.98 ERA through 18 1/3 innings in Syracuse is the exact same line he put up in the Mexican Pacific Winter League, leading the Mets to sign him) Nonetheless, given the choice of keeping Joey Gerber (who had not appeared since his return to the team) two days earlier and promoting Sevvy (a man without an ERA), they went a third route and added Mexican-born Daniel Duarte. Daniel is a journeyman at first glance, but he has a lot of non-affiliated big-time, high-pressure experience, appearing for his country in the Olympics, The World Baseball Classic and El Serie del Caribe. So, the Mets bide their time before the launch of The Severino Missile. They also anticipate the return of A.J. Minter in a week or two. His assignment here to the 60-Day Injured List seems to push his return date further back, but in actuality, he had already cleared 60 days and can be activated at any time. The Mets just needed the big fat roster spot that becomes available when a player is added to the 60. Transactions, 5/19/2026 GOING COMING Transferred from 15- to 60-Day Injured List Designated for Assignment Added to 40-Player Roster and Promoted from Syracuse Transferred from St. Lucie to Syracuse on Rehab Assignment Starting Pitchers Outfielders Clay Holmes Austin Slater Nick Morabito Jared Young R/R DoB: 1993-03-27 High Level: MLB (2026) R/R DoB: 33951 High Level: MLB (2026) R/R DoB: 2003-05-07 High Level: MLB (2024) L/R DoB: 1995-07-09 High Level: MLB (2026) While the Clay Holmes and Jared Young transactions to the left represent the expected progressions of two players going in two different directions, the real story is the addition of young Nick Morabito. In a year when the Mets are inducting Lee Mazzilli into The Mets Hall of Fame, what could be a more appropriate addition than another exciting athletic Italian-American prospect tearing through the minors with blazing speed and a terrific batting eye. The pride of Gonzaga College High School even got to debut before the denizens of his hometown. Sadly, the Mets screwed up the Morabito launch badly by first assigning him (yay!) and then withdrawing (booooo!) #8, a number that a populist, ill-thought-out and utterly a-historical argument says must be perpetually reserved in honor of Gary Carter. Mets Roster Central has a lot of thoughts on this (as usual, Mets by the Numbers says it better), but let's just say that there are ton of lovely ways for a team to honor the legacy of past figures, and defaulting to number retirement is cliched, uncreative, and terribly shortsighted. Welcome, though, to Nick Morabito. We are so excited to see you kid, that we've outfitted you in ... er, um ... #55. Ugh. Transactions, 5/20/2026 GOING COMING Demoted to Syracuse Added to 40-Player Roster and Promoted from Syracuse Relief Pitchers Starting Pitchers Daniel Duarte Zach Thornton R/R DoB: 1996-12-04 High Level: MLB (2026) L/L DoB: 2002-01-17 High Level: MLB (2026) It is clearly no secret that guys in the front office stay awake at night thinking of ways to get one more relief pitcher, one more relief pitcher ONE MORE relief pitcher onto the roster. It consumes them. It obsesses them. It eats at their health damages their relationships. They are at their kids' dance recitals or staring into a golden sunset, while their minds are a thousand miles away thinking about cycling players with options back and forth to AAA, using an infielder as a backup catcher, using a second-baseman in the outfield, all for that one more guy to pitch two innings of mopup as a human sacrifice in the game you aren't trying to win so you can save your pitchers for the game you aren't. It's all gross, but don't think for a minute that, as hands twisted and hearts stopped over news of Clay Holmes' fractured fibula, more than one person in the front office was at least partially excited that they got to add ONE MORE RELIEVER for several days while Holmes hit the IL but they didn't yet need his replacement. Well, those days are done, and the Mets have come to call on young Zach Thornton. Not to be confused with the Zach Thornton who came to the Mets in the Ike Davis trade, this ZT started the season in Binghamton, but climbed up to Syracuse and beyond and manage to pass and debut in Queens before the more celebrated Jonah Tong and Jack Wenninger. Somewhere this will be sold as an indictment of Tong and Wenninger, but progress comes in fits and starts, and Thornton is simply having a moment. The lefty breaking pitch specialist is only just coming into big-league velocity, but his aversion to homers and walks has been approaching a clinical level, and while that package may lead to good days and bad for the time being, he has been lauded for a bulldog mentality and can be expected to pitch deep into games even when his best stuff is lacking. CAN THE SAME BE SAID OF YOU?! Here's to seeing a lot of Zach in the future and maybe a rotation of him along with McLean, Scott, Tong, and Wenninger is a bright future not far off.

Actually, I don't have a hundred suggestions, but only 10. I'm sure I could have come up with a hundred suggestions, but it would have taken me a day or two, and I have to be honest — the ideas would start to get really dodgy after #30. It should go without saying, but any one of these initiatives would be a terrific honor, and we don't need to go overboard and do a bunch of them or anything. Name the Florida Complex League Team THE KIDS in his honor*. Name the Citi Field bullpen after him. His name would be invoked every home game. Name the catcher's part of the clubhouse after him. Players who never saw him play would learn of his legacy into perpetuity. Make a substantial donation to The Gary Carter Foundation, which appears to be flagging in recent years. Better yet, make a small-but-meaningful donation every time a Mets catcher hits a home run, continuing to promote the foundation and the player's legacy, and ask that a Mets alum sit on their board into perpetuity. Start their own scholarship fund in his name. Use it to finance education for players who passed on college athletic scholarships for pro ball but still want to matriculate in the offseason, or after their pro careers fizzle out in the minors. Re-Name Kiddie Field in his honor. Name a part of the concourse in his honor. Rename the Spring Training/St. Lucie Mets stadium from Clover Park to Gary Carter Field at Clover Park. Rename the whole Spring Training facility after him. Or just a back field renamed for him keeps his memory alive and provides nostalgic joy to the old guys and retirees visiting the complex. A chance to tell the grandkids about this curly-headed figure who could walk on water. Name the annual award for Outstanding Catcher in the Mets Minor League system after him. Get the Carter family on board with one of these, and ask that they have your back when the number 8 is reissued and some lovely but misguided fogie (cough-Howie-cough) tries to start a populist movement against it. Or simply make an announcement alongside the announcement of one of the honors above that, while the Mets organization clearly has deep respect for Gary Carter and the Carter family, the number is officially back in circulation. Or, you know, none of these, but please mindfully end the retired-but-not-retired situation, and end it NOW!!! ________________________ * The two DSL teams should be renamed in honor of Edgardo Alfonzo and Armando Benitez, as well.