Your Thursday morning dose of New York Mets and MLB news, notes, and links.
Meet the Mets
After being positioned as the Opening Day starter, Jonathon Niese was sent back to New York for an MRI on his left shoulder (triceps area). The injury is in a different part of the shoulder than last year, and Niese is optimistic that this injury isn't serious. It's hard to envision any kind of shoulder injury, especially from a pitcher who has a history of them, being minor though.
Niese is not the only banged up Met; Bartolo Colon has calf tightness and Eric Young has a tight side, but those injuries are considered very minor. Matt den Dekker
Carlos Beltran has choice words for the anonymous sources who criticized Ruben Tejada.
Sandy Alderson said that Ike Davis and Lucas Duda are even at this point in their battle for first base.
The Stephen Drew saga, Day 17,345: Alderson admitted that the Mets would be a "logical" landing spot for Drew, but that there still evaluations that need to be made. Meanwhile, the Red Sox do not appear to have much interest in Drew at this point.
The Mets will scout their other primary shortstop target, Nick Franklin, and decide if his defense is good enough for shortstop.
Despite being moved off of shortstop in 2011, Wilmer Flores may get a serious chance to win the starting shortstop position.
Jared Diamond took a look at five different Mets and how they planned their weddings.
Jose Valverde has become the leader of "The Dominican Mafia", a group of the Dominican pitchers on the Mets. This includes Colon, Rafael Montero, Jenrry Mejia, and Gonzalez Germen.
Around the Majors
Spring training began for many teams, including the Athletics who beat the Giants 10-5. The game is noteworthy because it featured two amazing Josh Reddick catches.
The Angels signedMike Trout to a one-year, $1 million contract, which is merely a precursor to a long-term extension.
Joel Hanrahan, who the Mets have shown interest in, will likely sign with a team before the end of spring training.
The Diamondbacks may be willing to trade one of their shortstops for a young catcher
The Yankeescould pursueBrewers second baseman Rickie Weeks if they make him available.
Arizona radio hosts called for the Diamondbacks to hitDodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig at their first opportunity.
Marc Normandin of SportsOnEarth examined the six best lineups in baseball.
Yesterday At AA
Jeffrey Bellone focused on which Mets hitters had...trouble with the curve.
Chris McShane continued his coverage from Port St. Lucie.
Amazin' Avenue is featured in today's New York Times crossword puzzle!
If you read an article or find a link that you think would be a great addition to a future edition of Mets Morning News, please forward it to our tips email address tips@grission.com and we'll try to add it in.
