Mets manager Carlos Mendoza spoke to the media ahead of Friday's home series opener with the crosstown rival Yankees. Here's what he said…
Buttó lands on IL with illness, update on Núñez
Another day, another pitcher on the injured list. The latest victim is José Buttó, who's been placed on the 15-day IL (retroactive to July 1) with what the Mets are calling an undisclosed illness. Mendoza doesn't fear the right-handed reliever will miss extended time — they expect him back right after the All-Star break. In a corresponding move, Chris Devenski was called up from Triple-A Syracuse.
The announcement of Buttó's illness comes less than 24 hours after the Mets announced 15-day IL stints for both Paul Blackburn (shoulder impingement) and Dedniel Núñez (elbow sprain). The news is far worse for Núñez — MRI results revealed some significant ligament damage and he could undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery.
A decision on Núñez won't come until next week, however. Mendoza said the 29-year-old reliever will meet with a doctor then, due to the holiday weekend. As for Blackburn, who was slotted to face the Yankees on Friday, he's in the midst of a shutdown period of three-to-five days.
Pitching plan remains fluid
While the Mets could've turned to a few top prospects like Nolan McLean or Brandon Sproat to contribute on the mound this weekend, they've tasked Justin Hagenman with starting Friday's game. Frankie Montas is still slated to make his third start of the season on Saturday, but the pitching plan for Sunday's series finale remains up in the air.
"We've got to get through today, we've got to get through tomorrow. And then after the game Saturday, we'll have a better idea for Sunday," Mendoza said of their mindset.
The good news is that rotation reinforcements aren't too far away. Kodai Senga (hamstring strain) will begin his rehab assignment on Saturday with Double-A Binghamton and throw between 60-65 pitches, according to Mendoza. If all goes well in the outing, the Mets could bring him back before the All-Star break.
The Mets also shared a positive update on Tylor Megill, who's been shut down for three weeks with an elbow sprain. The veteran right-hander is expected to restart a throwing program on Saturday, playing catch off flat ground.
Alvarez rediscovering pop in Triple-A
The Mets still have a long-term vision with catcher Francisco Alvarez, who was demoted to Triple-A Syracuse in late June due to inadequate big-league production this season. But the change in scenery appears to be paying off for the 24-year-old, as he's showcasing some long-lost power at the plate.
In eight games (27 at-bats) with Syracuse, Alvarez has collected four extra-base hits — three home runs and one double — and Mendoza is pleased with the progress reports that he's received from the coaching staff.
"Very encouraging. Not only the results they've seen, but just how he's going about his business," Mendoza said. "We know he's an extremely hard worker. Since Day 1, the mentality has been, 'Okay, let's get to work.' Defensively, the receiving and blocking. Offensively, driving the baseball. There's a lot of positive coming out of Triple-A…
"When you watch his at-bats the past few games, it's like back to the old version of when he first came up to the big leagues. But as far as what he's trying to do, he's hitting the ball hard, consistently to all fields… As far as the batting stance, it looks like he's going back to what he used to do… But again, positive results."
A new Subway Series with fireworks
Coming off back-to-back wins against the Brewers, in which they clinched their first series win in three weeks, the Mets are looking for three straight victories for the first time since June 10-12. So, it's only fitting that the rival Yankees — limping into this weekend's highly-anticipated series after losing four straight against the Blue Jays — stand in the way of a long-craved winning streak.
June was a month to forget for both teams. The Mets and Yankees endured losing skids of six-plus games, fell out of first place in their respective divisions, and struggled to regain dominant form amid slumps and injuries. Call it a Big Apple circus with concerns from fans in Queens and the Bronx.
At the moment, the Mets are riding momentum. But meetings with the Yankees always feature drama, and Mendoza is fully aware of the stakes and bragging rights.
"We're facing a lot of adversity, but every team goes through it," Mendoza said. "Here we are, the beginning of another Subway Series, and our job is to compete and win a baseball game… [The Yankees are] dealing with injuries as well, from what I can tell. But still a really good team… When you look at that roster, that's a really good team. I know they've been through a stretch like what we've been going through."
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