Cowtipper

Wegmans Field has a nice ring to it. I worked for Wegmans once. Anyway, Francisco Alvarez - Alvarez (knee) is going through full baseball activities and could be ready for a rehab assignment as soon as next week, Andrew Tredinnick of The Bergen Record reports. Alvarez is just over two weeks removed from surgery to repair the meniscus in his right knee. He was given an eight-week timetable to return immediately following the operation, but the catcher is poised to beat that timeline by several weeks. Injury Knee. Est. Return 6/9/2026. Justin Hagenman - Injury Ribs. Expected to be out until at least Jun 4. Jorge Polanco - Polanco (Achilles) will play two more rehab games and could be activated from the 10-day injured list some time next week on the Mets' road trip, Andrew Tredinnick of The Bergen Record reports. Polanco has played one rehab game with Double-A Binghamton to this point, going 1-for-2 with a single and a strikeout. He's been out since mid-April with a right wrist contusion and left Achilles bursitis, and it's the latter injury that's lengthened his recovery. When he does return from the IL, Polanco will be used primarily at designated hitter. Injury Achilles. Est. Return 6/5/2026. Luis Robert - Robert was recently administered a series of injections for his injured back, Andrew Tredinnick of The Bergen Record reports. Out since late April with a lumbar spine disc herniation, Robert has yet to resume baseball activities, but the hope is the injections will speed his recovery along. Robert is on the 60-day injured list and not eligible to return until late June. A timetable for his activation won't be available until he starts ramping up his activities and goes out on a rehab assignment. A.J. Ewing has taken over as the Mets' primary center fielder in Robert's stead. Injury Back. Est. Return 6/26/2026.

Mets also signed a young fellow named Randiel Vicente.

He had a 6.43 ERA in May; like most Quad-A pitchers, batters eventually figured him out. Still had a good WHIP on the year, though.

They call it ESL Ballpark now? That must be recent. It was still Frontier Field when I moved away from the Rochester area, and that was less than 5 years ago. ESL Ballpark is a lame name to be sure.

I'd give Clifford a shot. Why not? He could be our very own Joey Gallo.

Mark Bailey died. https://www.ky3.com/video/2026/05/27/former-mlb-catcher-missouri-state-star-mark-bailey-dies-64/ Who was Mark Bailey? Mark Bailey was an American professional baseball catcher and longtime coach who spent parts of seven seasons in Major League Baseball with the Houston Astros and San Francisco Giants between 1984 and 1992. A native of Springfield, Missouri, Bailey excelled as both a baseball and basketball player at Southwest Missouri State University, earning NCAA Division II All-American honors while helping lead the school to the Division II College World Series. Drafted by Houston in the sixth round of the 1982 MLB Draft, he quickly advanced through the minors after converting from infielder to catcher. Bailey made his major league debut in 1984 and soon became Houston’s primary catcher. Known for his size, versatility as a switch-hitter, and defensive work behind the plate, he enjoyed his best offensive season in 1985, batting .265 with 10 home runs in 114 games. During his time with the Astros, he also caught historic moments, including Nolan Ryan’s 4,000th career strikeout. Though injuries and inconsistency affected later seasons, Bailey remained a valuable organizational player and spent time in the Astros, Montreal Expos, Mets, and Giants systems before ending his playing career in the mid-1990s. Over 340 major league games, Bailey compiled a .220 batting average with 24 home runs and 101 RBIs. After retiring as a player, he transitioned into coaching and spent decades working throughout the Astros organization in roles ranging from bullpen coach to hitting instructor and catching coordinator. His long tenure reflected his reputation as a respected teacher and mentor for developing players, especially catchers. Bailey’s contributions to sports in Missouri and professional baseball were recognized with inductions into the Springfield Area Sports Hall of Fame in 2016 and the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2017. He died on May 26, 2026, at the age of 64, leaving behind a legacy that stretched from standout collegiate athlete to major league player and influential baseball instructor.

I hope they win.

He's a low-BA guy now, but outside of this year he's actually been pretty effective since his age-35 year. From 2022 to 2025, he averaged 15 homers and 54 RBI per year. And he was good enough to be a starter. Might be worth putting him on the bench for a little while to see how he does.

Bob Horner died. https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/braves-face-third-major-loss-173929149.html Who was Bob Horner? Bob Horner was an American professional baseball player best known for his powerful hitting during the late 1970s and 1980s, primarily with the Atlanta Braves. Born in Junction City, Kansas, and raised in Glendale, Arizona, Horner became one of the most decorated college baseball players in history at Arizona State University. He helped lead the Sun Devils to the 1977 College World Series championship, won the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player award, and became the first recipient of the Golden Spikes Award in 1978. His extraordinary college career included 56 home runs and 229 RBIs, records that stood among the best in school history for decades. Selected first overall by the Braves in the 1978 MLB Draft, Horner bypassed the minor leagues entirely and immediately joined Atlanta’s major league roster. He made an instant impact, hitting a home run in his debut and earning National League Rookie of the Year honors after blasting 23 home runs in only 89 games. Alongside fellow slugger Dale Murphy, Horner became a centerpiece of the Braves’ offense during the early 1980s. Despite frequent injuries, he consistently produced power numbers, including three 30-home-run seasons and an All-Star appearance in 1982. Horner’s most famous moment came on July 6, 1986, when he became just the 11th player in MLB history to hit four home runs in a single game. Following that season, he became entangled in the Major League Baseball collusion scandal, as owners secretly cooperated to suppress free-agent salaries. Unable to secure a satisfactory contract in the United States, Horner signed with Japan’s Yakult Swallows for the 1987 season, where he hit .327 with 31 home runs. He returned to MLB with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1988, but ongoing injuries soon forced his retirement. Over ten major league seasons, Horner compiled a .277 batting average, 218 home runs, and 685 RBIs while earning a reputation as one of baseball’s premier right-handed power hitters of his era. He never played a single minor league game, a rare achievement for a first overall draft pick. In retirement, Horner received numerous honors, including induction into the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006 and the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 2022. He died on May 26, 2026, at the age of 68. George Riley died in 2023, but news of his passing was not uncovered until recently. https://www.stolfofuneralhome.com/obituaries/riley-10/ Who was George Riley? George Riley was an American professional baseball pitcher who appeared in parts of four Major League Baseball seasons between 1979 and 1986. A native of Philadelphia, Riley starred at South Philadelphia High School, where he became a local legend thanks to his dominant pitching performances. During his high school career, he compiled an undefeated 18–0 record, threw six no-hitters — including four in a row — and once struck out 21 batters in a single game while helping lead his school to a Philadelphia city championship. The Chicago Cubs selected Riley in the fourth round of the 1974 amateur draft when he was just 17 years old. After spending several seasons developing in the minor leagues, he made his major league debut with the Cubs in September 1979. Riley pitched in 26 games over two seasons with Chicago before continuing his career in the minors with organizations connected to the Chicago White Sox and Philadelphia Phillies. In 1984, Riley joined the San Francisco Giants as part of a trade involving veteran slugger Al Oliver. That season he earned the only major league victory of his career, defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in a strong outing on September 23, 1984. Riley later spent time with the Montreal Expos during the 1986 season before ending his professional baseball career in the minors in 1987. Over his MLB career, Riley posted a 1–5 record with a 4.97 earned run average and 40 strikeouts. After retiring from baseball, he worked as an electrician and lived a quieter life away from the spotlight. Riley died on January 29, 2023, at the age of 66.

I remember being excited when the Mets signed Kimbrel and hoping beyond hope that he would rekindle the magic that made him the future Hall of Famer he was back in Atlanta. I was elated like a schoolgirl receiving a pony for her seventh birthday when he found his way to the big league staff for the regular season, and ecstatic as he found great success early on in the season. My heart broke into millions of pieces as he slowly fell apart, and here am I writing these words now, tears in my eyes, and melancholy like Poe on a rainy October's night.

Hours after inking Craig Kimbrel, the Rays signed Austin Slater to a minor league deal. https://nypost.com/2026/05/26/sports/rays-sign-mets-castoff-austin-slater-to-minor-league-deal/ The Rays have done well with Mets castoffs and former Mets prospects these past few years, Steven Matz has done well for them this year, and last year Jake Mangum was solid. Edwin Uceta, Eric Orze and Cole Sulser have also found success there.

Jorge Polanco: Polanco (Achilles) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Binghamton on Wednesday, Michael Mayer of MetsmerizedOnline.com reports. Polanco has been cleared to return to game action after being sidelined since mid-April with a right wrist contusion and left Achilles bursitis. It's the Achilles issue that Polanco has had trouble overcoming, and he will likely have to manage the injury the rest of the season. Polanco will probably require a handful of rehab games before rejoining the active roster in early June. When he does return, he's slated to see the bulk of his playing time at designated hitter. Injury Achilles. Est. Return 6/5/2026. Luis Robert: The Mets transferred Robert (spine) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Tuesday. Robert landed on the 10-day IL on April 30 due to lumbar spine disc herniation and has yet to resume baseball activities while he continues to deal with lingering symptoms of the injury. While surgery isn't on the table for Robert at this point, the 28-year-old has received consultation from outside doctors regarding a treatment plan for his symptoms, per MLB.com. Robert remains without an official timeline for a return, though his move to the 60-day IL ensures that he won't be an option for the Mets until at least late June. Injury Back. Est. Return 6/26/2026. Tyrone Taylor: The Mets placed Taylor on the 10-day injured list Tuesday due to a right hip flexor strain. Taylor was injured while running out a grounder in Monday's loss to the Reds. Per Andrew Tredinnick of The Bergen Record, manager Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday that the team received relatively good news regarding Taylor's MRI, and the outfielder could return in as little as 2-to-3 weeks if all goes well. Injury Hip. Est. Return 6/15/2026.

On the bright side, David Peterson had a 2.50 mark in May before this start, and since April 19, it was a respectable 4.08.

A bit of a roster shuffle ... AJ Minter reinstated from the IL. Jared Young reinstated from the IL. Eric Wagaman selected to the roster. Tyrone Taylor to the 10-day IL. Jonathan Pintaro optioned to the minors. Nick Morabito optioned to the minors.

Well, that was quick, Craig Kimbrel is heading to the Rays on a major league deal. https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rays-craig-kimbrel-gets-mlb-deal-from-rays/ Let's see how he does.

The Craig Kimbrel Era has ended, as he has elected free agency.

Tyrone Taylor: Taylor (hip) will be sent for an MRI, but the team expects that he'll require a stint on the injured list, Andrew Tredinnick of The Bergen Record reports. Taylor was pulled from Monday's game against Cincinnati after suffering a right hip injury, and the team has yet to reveal the severity of the issue. Assuming he does land on the injured list over the next day or so, A.J. Ewing and Bretty Baty could pick up a few extra at-bats. Injury Hip. Est. Return 6/5/2026.

Nick Anderson has retired. Chris Taylor has retired. Gio Urshela has retired. Dayan Viciedo has retired.

Scott Douglas (1968-2026) was a minor league baseball infielder and manager who played for the Regina Cyclones and Moose Jaw Diamond Dogs in the 1990s before transitioning into coaching. He later built a successful career as a college baseball coach, most notably leading Trinidad State Junior College to a 246-171-1 record from 2000 to 2012. James Riley (1939-2026) was a respected baseball historian and researcher best known for his extensive work documenting the history of the Negro Leagues. After a long career in Florida public education, he became research director for the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and authored several influential books, including The Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues.

Francisco Alvarez: Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Monday that Alvarez (knee) has already resumed hitting and could return well before his projected eight-week timetable, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports. Alvarez is less than two weeks removed from surgery to repair the meniscus in his right knee. He still has plenty of benchmarks he needs to reach before a specific timeline for a return comes into focus, but Alvarez seems to now have a chance to be back before the end of June. Injury Knee. Est. Return 6/29/2026. Clay Holmes: The Mets transferred Holmes (fibula) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Tuesday. The right-hander was recently shut down from all activities for 6-to-8 weeks due to a fractured right fibula, so it's hardly a surprise he's been moved to the 60-day IL. Holmes is expected to require about a month to build back up to game readiness once fully recovered, so he'll likely be sidelined until at least mid-August. Injury Leg. Est. Return 8/25/2026. Francisco Lindor: Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Monday that Lindor (calf) has begun a running progression, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports. It's the first tangible sign of real progress for Lindor, who is going through other baseball activities like hitting and fielding grounders, as well. The star shortstop has already missed more than a month of action with a left calf strain and will likely require a handful of rehab games before being activated. Lindor should be back sometime in June, though there remains no specific timeline for his return. Injury Calf. Est. Return 6/18/2026. AJ Minter: Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Monday that Minter (lat) will likely be activated from the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports. It's been a long road back for Minter, who hasn't pitched for the Mets since undergoing left lat surgery last May. Minter produced good results on his rehab assignment, holding a 1.59 ERA and 7:1 K:BB over 11.1 innings. However, the lefty averaged only 92.3 mph with his four-seamer in his final rehab appearance with Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday, which is more than two mph down from last year's pace. As such, Minter could be eased into high-leverage situations. Injury Lat. Est. Return 5/26/2026. Jorge Polanco: Polanco (Achilles) has been taking live at-bats at the Mets' spring training complex at St. Lucie and could begin a rehab assignment soon, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports. The veteran infielder has been out since mid-April due to a wrist contusion and and Achilles soreness, but it's the latter issue that has kept him on the shelf. Pain management remains the biggest hurdle for Polanco to clear before he can return to game action, but if he's able to begin a rehab stint this week and avoid a setback, he could be back in the big-league lineup in early June. Injury Achilles. Est. Return 6/5/2026. Luis Robert: Mets manger Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday that Robert (back) is still experiencing lingering symptoms and "is not progressing the way we would like," Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. The decision to call up A.J. Ewing was no doubt related to Robert's slow recovery from a lumbar spine disc herniation. Robert has not been cleared to resume baseball activities and appears ticketed for an extended absence. In the meantime, Ewing will get an opportunity to nail down the center-field job for the Mets. Injury Back. Est. Return 6/9/2026. Kodai Senga: Senga (back) gave up two earned runs on four hits and a walk over 3.1 innings in a rehab start for Single-A St. Lucie on Friday. He struck out two. While the right-hander's line in the box score wasn't particularly impressive, Senga built up to 63 pitches (36 strikes) in his first rehab start, suggesting his return isn't far away. He landed on the 15-day injured list after a rough stretch to end April, coughing up 16 earned runs in just 8.1 innings over his last three big-league outings. If he needs only one more rehab start, Senga could be in line to rejoin the Mets rotation during the club's first series of June in Seattle. Injury Back. Est. Return 6/2/2026. Juan Soto: Soto (illness) remains out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Reds. Soto is battling the flu and will miss a second straight start. It's unclear whether he might be available off the bench. Nick Morabito is starting in left field and Carson Benge is getting a start at designated hitter in Monday's series opener. Injury Illness. Day-To-Day. Jared Young: Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Monday that Young (knee) will likely be activated from the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports. Young has been shelved since mid-April following surgery to repair a meniscus tear in his left knee, but he's done with his rehab assignment after going 5-for-22 in six games. Once activated, the left-handed hitter could see some starts against righties between first base, designated hitter and the corner outfield spots. Injury Knee. Est. Return 5/26/2026. Syracuse Mets sent LHP Joe Jacques on a rehab assignment to Brooklyn Cyclones. Syracuse Mets sent 3B Grae Kessinger on a rehab assignment to FCL Mets.

Charlie Moore died. https://www.tmj4.com/sports/former-milwaukee-brewers-player-charlie-butch-moore-passed-away Who was Charlie Moore? Charlie Moore was an American Major League Baseball player who spent most of his career with the Milwaukee Brewers during the 1970s and 1980s. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Moore originally planned to attend Auburn University on a football scholarship before being drafted by Milwaukee in 1971. Choosing baseball instead, he rose quickly through the Brewers’ minor league system and made his major league debut in 1973. Although primarily a catcher early in his career, Moore became known for his versatility, also playing extensively in the outfield. He steadily developed into a reliable contributor for Milwaukee, batting over .300 in both 1980 and the strike-shortened 1981 season. One of his most memorable achievements came in 1980 when he hit for the cycle against the California Angels while also stealing two bases, a rare accomplishment. Moore was also the final player ever driven in by Hank Aaron during Aaron’s last MLB season in 1976. Moore played a key role in the Brewers’ 1982 postseason run, particularly during the American League Championship Series against the Angels, where he batted .462 and made a crucial throw from right field to retire Reggie Jackson at third base. He continued his strong performance in the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, batting .346 despite Milwaukee losing the series in seven games. He remained with the Brewers through 1986 before finishing his career with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1987. Over 15 major league seasons, Moore compiled a .261 batting average with 36 home runs and 408 RBIs. After retiring from baseball, he returned to Birmingham and worked as a sales representative for many years. In 2014, he was inducted into the Brewers Wall of Honor and named to the All-Time Alabama Baseball Team. Moore died on May 23, 2026, at the age of 72.

Nothing Tong with that, I was hoping Kimbrel could recapture the magic of old as he seemed to manage some of it last year with Houston. But alas, it wasn't to be. He still might latch on somewhere. Astoundingly, it's been nearly a decade since he had a couple great seasons in a row. From 2010 to 2018, he had a 1.91 ERA and 212 ERA+ in 542 games. Since then, he has a 3.94 mark in 323 games.

This is actually exciting. It's awesome to see they're trying so many of their top prospects now. Carson Benge, AJ Ewing, Nick Morabito on the offensive front. Zack Thornton on pitching. Nolan McLean. Despite my annoyance with them, they still have Bret Baty, Mark Vientos and Francisco Alvarez. And Mauricio at some point. I can't imagine we won't see Dylan Ross (a phantom major leaguer from last year) and Jack Wenninger (15-7, 2.63 ERA since last year) this year, too. And this is the downside of having so many at any given time, it's easy to forget about last year's big ones...I already forgot about Jonah Tong. But here's there, too. They have legends, superstars and stars -- Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, Bo Bichette, Marcus Semien. They have talented youth out the wazoo. It's just one of those Mets-specific anomalies that they aren't tearing up the league right now. Established veterans and a veritable youth movement and they're still last in the division. I see them making a push later in the year. I don't see them being a losing team.

I was unpersoned. I thought I was banned because I was pushing it too far the other day. Then I saw all my posts were gone and was like, "man, they don't mess around." I have returned from reeducation camp and the electroshock therapy seems to have worked. I, for one, love David Stearns.

I like that the Mets are winning this baseball game.