Your Tuesday morning dose of New York Mets and Major League Baseball news, notes, and links.
Meet the Mets
Jacob deGrom struggled in four-and-one-third innings against the Cardinals on Monday night, allowing six runs while walking two and striking out two. The offense wasn't any better, plating only two runs and stranding a whopping 15 baserunners. On the bright side, once the bullpen took over for deGrom, the Cardinals never scored again. So there's that. But the Cardinals still won 6-2.
Choose Your Recap: Amazin' Avenue Short, Long, MLB.com, ESPN NY, Daily News, New York Times, Associated Press, Star-Ledger, NY Post, Newsday
Tonight against the Cardinals, the Mets will send Jon Niese (3-3, 2.54) to the mound against right-hander Michael Wacha (4-5, 2.88) at 8:15 PM EDT.
In the wake of Tony Gwynn's death from cancer of the mouth and salivary glands—attributed to smokeless tobacco use by Gwynn himself—Mets' reliever Josh Edgin is going to try to quit a smokeless tobacco habit he acquired at age 16.
Terry Collins established a first for the Mets franchise on Monday: He wrote out a lineup with the starting pitcher batting eighth.
The Mets like what what they see from Travis d'Arnaud, but assistant general manager John Ricco says it's premature to be talking about a promotion.
There is news of progress for rehabbing Mets Dillon Gee and Juan Lagares.
Joel Sherman compares the Mets to the resurgent Royals and finds that the connection does not bare scrutiny.
MLB Trade Rumors checks in with Michael Conforto.
The Mets could be buyers at the deadline.
At least the Mets are good at one thing.
On this date in Mets' history in 2008, Omar Minaya fired Willie Randolph as Mets' manager.
Yesterday At AA
Steve Sypa gave a guided tour to Sunday's action down on the Mets farm.
Alex Nelson took a closer look at Blake Taylor, the Player to Be Named Later in the Ike Davis trade.
Chris McShane reviewed the performances of Mets' position players and pitchers over the last seven days.
Alex Nelson wrapped up the scouting reports for the Mets' 2014 draftees, looking at Rounds 36-40.
Rob Castellano dug into the hottest performances in the Mets' farm system so far for the month of June.
Aaron Yorke previewed the Mets' series with the Cardinals.
Chris McShane took time out to remember Tony Gwynn.
Around the NL East
The Marlinsfell 5–4 to the Cubs in 13 innings. Tons of promotions for the Fish on Monday: Andrew Heaney, Jake Marisnick, Justin Bour, and Anthony DeSclafani.
Thirteen was apparently the unlucky number in the NL East on Monday, as the Braves and Phillies went into the thirteenth inning as well. Atlanta lost 6–1. Cormican recaps the Phillies' 2014 draft.
Dan Simpson of Talking Chop says it's a bad idea to call up Braves' catching prospect Christian Bethancourt.
The Nationals did not play on Monday, but they got some good news, as Gio Gonzalez will return in time to start against Houston on Wednesday.
Around the Majors
There were numerous tributes to the life of Tony Gwynn at Safeco Field before Monday's Padres versus Mariners game.
Rob Neyer explains why we may never again see a hitter like Gwynn.
Joe Posnanski looks back over the illustrious career of Gwynn, artist of the diamond.
Baseball's official historian, John Thorn, reflects on the death of Gwynn.
Ted Berg shares a video of Gwynn on This Week in Baseball explaining his groundbreaking use of video in preparing for his at-bats.
Cespedes Family Barbecue runs down the best player names in the NL East by team and position.
Matt Wieterswill have Tommy John surgery.
Matt Hollidaycollected RBI 1,000 in last night's game against the Amazins.
Pete Rose believes that Bud Selig will reinstate him on Selig's way out the door.
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