Your Monday morning dose of Mets and Major League Baseball news, notes, and links.
Meet the Mets
The Mets faced the Red Sox and lost 6-3. Jon Niese started off strong, but tapered off in the third inning. While Kirk Nieuwenhuis continued his strong spring going 2-for-3.
Tim Rohan of the Times looks at Michael Cuddyer's leadership capabilities and how they were appealing to the Mets when they sought him in free agency over the winter.
Jon Niese's shoulder is in the best shape of its life.
Wilmer Flores is off to a hot start in spring training games, both at the plate and in the field, writes Mike Puma.
Joel Sherman thinks the Yu Darvish injury should make the Mets want to keep—not trade—Dillon Gee.
Daniel Murphy avoided serious injury after getting drilled by a David Price fastball and will return to the lineup Monday.
Around the NL East
The Braves pitched a combined no-hitter against the Astros but still finished in a 2-2 tie. Nine different pitchers participated in the 10 inning no-no.
The Nationals fell to the Yankees3-2. Doug Fister made his first start of the spring and threw two scoreless innings.
Fish Stripes profiled the Marlins' 19th round pick from the 2014 draft Mason Davis. Davis will begin his first full season assignment after spending the 2014 summer in the New York-Penn League.
Cliff Lee is experiencing soreness in his elbow again. Lee missed a large portion of last season due to his elbow.
Around Major League Baseball
Ted Berg wrote a great piece on the wages of minor leagues players, which are incredibly low, and their need for a union.
Cuban infielder Hector Olivera expects to land a deal worth more than $70 million. The Braves, Padres, and Dodgers are considered favorites to land him.
According to reports, the Yankees have come the closest to acquiring Cole Hamels via trade, though Jon Heyman speculated that the Rangers could inquire if Yu Darvish has to have surgery.
Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale announced that Josh Collmenter will be the Opening Day starter. He is coming off a season in which he had a 3.46 ERA.
Masahiro Tanaka will make his Grapefruit League debut on Thursday. Tanaka successfully rehabbed his elbow rather than undergoing surgery last season.
Yesterday at Amazin' Avenue
Tony Clark was at Mets camp, though he did not give much in the way of detail when it came to questions about the Mets.
Chris McShane had a few photos for us from spring training, all of which can be found in our spring training section.
This Day in Mets History
The Mets' anthem, "Meet the Mets," was unveiled on this date. The song, written by Ruth Roberts and Bill Katz, was written two years earlier.