Game 1: Mets vs. Nationals Starting Lineup and Pitching Match-Up

Mets Starting Lineup 1. Starling Marte-RF 2. J.D. Davis-DH 3. Francisco Lindor-SS 4. Pete Alonso-1B 5. Eduardo Esbocar-3B 6. Robinson Cano-2B 7. Mark Canha-CF 8. Jeff McNeil-LF 9. James McCann-C The pitching match-up is RHP Tylor Megill vs. LHP Patrick Corbin

Mets Finalize 2022 Roster

Catchers 1. James McCann 2. Tomas Nido First Base 1. Pete Alonso 2. Dom Smith Shortstop 1. Franciso Lindor 2. Luis Guillorme Third Base 1. Eduardo Escobar 2. J.D. Davis Outfield 1. Brandon Nimmo 2. Starling Marte 3. Mark Canha 4. Travis Jankowski Starting Pitching 1. Max Scherzer-RHP 2. Chris Bassitt-RHP 3. Carlos Carrasco-RHP 4. Taijuan Walker-RHP 5. Tylor Megill-RHP Relief Pitchers 1. Edwin Diaz-RHP 2. Trevor May-RHP 3. Adam Ottavino-RHP 4. Seth Lugo-RHP 5. Joely Rodriguez-LHP 6. Drew Smith-RHP 7. Chasen Shreve-LHP 8. Sean Reid-Foley-RHP 9. Trevor Williams-RHP Injured 1. Jacob DeGrom-RHP 2. Jake Reed 3. Joey Luchessi-LHP 4. John Curtiss

Mets Acquire Reliever Joely Rodriguez From Yankees For Miguel Castro

MetsLHP Joely Rodriguez (Photo Creditd to Vincent Carchietta-USA Today Sports) The New York Mets acquired LHP Joely Rodriguez from the New York Yankees for reliever RHP Miguel Castro. Rodriguez has a career 4.61 ERA in 95 2/3 innings. He had a better year last year with a 2.84 ERA after he came over to the Yankees from Texas Rangers in Joey Gallo trade. Rodriguez is a sinker ball pitcher who can produce a lot of ground balls. He is a much needed lefty in a bullpen that has all righty relievers including Edwin Diaz, Seth Lugo, Adam Ottavano and Trevor May.

Jacob DeGrom To Miss Opening Day Start With Stress Reaction In Shoulder Blade

Mets RHP Jacob deGrom (Photo Credits to Getty Images) New York Mets RHP Jacob deGrom will miss his Opening Day start after an MRI revealed yestersay he has a stress reaction in his shoulder blade. There's no timetable on DeGrom's return and is expected to be shut down from throwing for four weeks before being reassessed. Without DeGrom this is a crushing blow to the Mets starting rotation and they will need other pitchers like Chris Bassitt, Carlos Carrasco and Taijuan Walker to pitch well in his absence.

Mets Sign Reliever Adam Ottavino

Mets Reliever Adam Ottavino (Photo Credits to Thomas Shea-USA Today Sports) The New York Mets signed reliever RHP Adam Ottavino today to a one-year deal worth $4 million. Ottavino had a 4.21 ERA for the Boston Red Sox last year. His best pitch is his slider which he threw 46% of the time. Prior to the Red Sox, Ottavino pitched for the Yankees for two years in 2019 and 2020 where he had a 1.90 ERA in 2019. He also pitched for the Colarado Rockies from 2012-2018 where he had a 2.43 ERA and 112 strikeouts in 2018. He has pitched in the postseason the last four seasons with the Red Sox, Yankees and Rockies. Ottavino brings a veteran presence to the bullpen along with RHP Edwin Diaz, RHP Seth Lugo, RHP Trevor May and RHP Miguel Castro. Now that the Mets signed Ottavino, their next move in the bullpen is to sign a lefty reliever.

Mets Acquire Athletics RHP Chris Bassitt

Mets RHP Chris Bassitt (Photo Credits to D. Ross Cameron-USA Today Sports) The New York Mets acquired RHP Chris Bassitt from the Oakland Athletics tonight for pitching prospects JT Ginn and Adam Oller. Bassitt had an excellent 2021 season with a 3.15 ERA with 9.1 K/9. He had a 2.29 ERA in 11 starts during the shortened 2020 season. Ginn was the Mets second round pick in 2020 and had a 3.03 ERA in 2021 with Low-A St. Lucie and High-A Brooklyn. Oller was selected in the 2019 minor league Rule 5 draft and had a 4.03 ERA with 11/3 K/9 over 15 starts with Double-A Binghamton and a 2.45 ERA over eight starts with Triple-A Syracuse. Now that the Mets have Bassitt, it helps to add depth to the starting rotation with RHP Jacob deGrom, RHP Max Scherizer, RHP Carlos Carrasco, and RH{ Taijuan Walker and RHP Tylor Megill and LHP David Peterson as sixth and seventh starters in case of injury.

Major League Baseball Is Back

Today Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Union agreed to a new collective barganing agreement (CBA) for the 2022 seaso and now baseball is officially back. Aspects of the new CBA include: 1. A Universal DH 2. 9-inning doubleheaders to make up for the delay 3. Mandatory report date for Spring Training is March 13 4. Opening Day on April 7th for most teams 5. 12-team postseason 6. Full 162 game regular season 7. Minimum salary of $700,000 in 2022 Since baseball is now back, free agency starts tonight. It will be interesting to see what moves the Mets make.