Your post-corned beef and cabbage dose of Tuesday morning news, notes, and links.
Meet the Mets
Yesterday, the Marlinsdefeated the Mets by a score of 10-7. John Lannan failed to impress, allowing 12 baserunners on the day. The box score can be found here.
The Jon Niese saga added another chapter yesterday, as Jon was cleared to throw in New York after seeing doctors and having an MRI. Niese will likely miss opening day, and Terry Collins will now have a decision to make. Niese also received a cortisone shot in his pitching arm.
The Mets announced more cuts this morning, and in a less-than-surprising move, Noah Syndergaard and Rafael Montero will not be with the Mets to start the season.
Jenrry Mejiawill still have a chance to start the season in the rotation, but as Marc Carig writes, it may be contingent on Jon Niese's health.
Mike Vorkunov suggests the Jose Valverde may still have a place with the Mets.
Terry Collins suggests that he must finally make a choice in the Ike Davis vs. Lucas Duda battle.
The Mets wore these phenomenal spring training caps, yesterday.
Jared Diamond writes a fantastic piece on how the Mets are struggling to evaluate talent in Las Vegas. Could that be changing soon, however? The Mets future in Las Vegas seems shaky, at best.
Justin Turnerspoke out against the Mets being loose-lipped in their clubhouse, and the media members who support that mentality.
Around the Majors
Neil Paine writes about the most surprising baseball performances over the last decade.
Dave Cameron at Fangraphs writes about how the Tigers don't need Stephen Drew. I think most Mets fans would be inclined to agreed.
Jimmy Rollins and the Phillies are not pleased with each other, after Rollins was benched and now the Phillies are demanding he lead off.
Kris Medlen will need Tommy John surgery for the second time.
Mike Petriello says that pitching through pain is, generally speaking, a bad idea.
Tim Lincecum is having to learn to adjust to life without strikeouts.
Sydney Cricket Ground is beginning to look like an excellent venue for baseball, as Opening Day draws closer.
Yesterday at AA
Pack Bringley reminded us that "ya gotta believe," with his look-back at Tug McGraw.
Chris McShane continues to grade the Mets' individual spring trainings.
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.