MLBMets’ infielder Jed Lowrie to have MRI of left kneeBy BILL WHITEHEADFebruary 20, 2019PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — The New York Mets uttered that dreaded three-letter acronym for the first time in spring training, and it involved Jed Lowrie: MRI.Starting a $20 ...MLBMets, Hechavarria agree to minor league dealBy MIKE FITZPATRICKFebruary 18, 2019WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria and the New York Mets have agreed to a minor league contract with an invitation to big league spring training.Hechavarria is a light hitter known for his defense. He gives New York a legitimate, established shortstop who could be a ...MLBCano says he feels 25, not 36, as he reports to MetsBy BILL WHITEHEADFebruary 18, 2019PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — New York Mets infielder Robinson Cano had a youthful perspective after reporting to spring training.“I feel like I’m 25,” the 36-year-old All-Star second baseman said Sunday, a day ahead of the team’s first full-squad workout.Cano took a physical and ...MLBGame changer: Tebow enters Mets camp ‘all in’ on baseballBy MIKE FITZPATRICKFebruary 17, 2019PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — By now, Tim Tebow has shown he belongs in professional baseball. He’s fully committed to the game and much more comfortable on the field.Sometimes, though, he still sounds like a football player.On his first day at spring training with the New York Mets, ...MLBCespedes says he thinks he’ll return to Mets this seasonFebruary 16, 2019PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — Yoenis Cespedes says he thinks he’ll be able to play at some point this season.Recovering from surgery on both heels, the New York Mets slugger told reporters through a translator at spring training Friday he is finally pain-free. He has been working out and ...MLBSeeking rich deal from hesitant Mets, deGrom weighs optionsBy MIKE FITZPATRICKFebruary 15, 2019PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — Just a few hours after Jacob deGrom threw his first practice pitch of spring training, the NL Cy Young Award winner let everyone know the score.He hasn’t received a long-term contract offer from the New York Mets and isn’t sure he will before opening ...MLBLesson plans: Mets’ Callaway seeks smoother ride in Year 2By MIKE FITZPATRICKFebruary 14, 2019PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — Mickey Callaway’s first season as a manager with the New York Mets was ... well ... messy.His team batted out of order due to a lineup-card snafu. Several puzzling decisions drew heavy scrutiny. And the banged-up Mets faded fast following an 11-1 start, ...MLBMets, deGrom set opening day deadline for contract talksFebruary 12, 2019PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom wants to hear the New York Mets’ best pitch on a multiyear contract by opening day — and the team thinks that’s a good call, too.New general manager Brodie Van Wagenen, who was deGrom’s agent before switching sides at the ...MLBTanaka no fan of DH, wants to hit and run at NL ballparksBy MARK DIDTLERFebruary 12, 2019TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Masahiro Tanaka wants to keep on hitting and running the bases at NL ballparks, hoping use of the designated hitter does not spread to the National League.The New York Yankees pitcher missed a month last season after hurting both hamstrings while running the bases ...MLBGarth Brooks in spring training with Pittsburgh PiratesFebruary 11, 2019BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Garth Brooks has come out of baseball retirement.The country music legend will spend just over a week participating in spring training with the Pittsburgh Pirates, reporting Monday with the pitchers and catchers.The 57-year-old has previously been in the ...MLBMets sign INF Danny Espinosa to minor league dealFebruary 8, 2019NEW YORK (AP) — Danny Espinosa and the New York Mets have agreed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.The veteran switch-hitter gives the Mets even more depth in a crowded infield. He could be a backup option at shortstop behind Amed Rosario.Espinosa ...MLBAP sources: Mets-Nats or Cubs-Cards for London in 2020By RONALD BLUMFebruary 8, 2019ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Major League Baseball is considering one of two matchups for its 2020 series in London: New York Mets vs. Washington Nationals or Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals.Two people familiar with the discussions told The Associated Press of the potential matchups. They ...MLBMets won’t know Cespedes timetable until after openerBy RONALD BLUMFebruary 4, 2019NEW YORK (AP) — The timetable for Yoenis Cespedes’ return to the New York Mets will remain an unanswered question until after opening day.The 33-year-old outfielder was limited to 38 games last year. Dr. Robert Anderson operated to remove bone calcification from Cespedes’ right heel on ...MLBRicco stays with Mets, promoted to senior strategy officerJanuary 29, 2019NEW YORK (AP) — John Ricco is staying with the New York Mets and has been promoted to the new position of senior vice president and senior strategy officer.The 50-year-old will report to chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon — a son of owner Fred Wilpon — on business and finance projects. ...MLBMets reliever: Many teams would rather make money than winBy RONALD BLUMJanuary 28, 2019NEW YORK (AP) — After finalizing a $10 million, two-year contract with the New York Mets, reliever Justin Wilson concluded that the number of teams not pursuing free agents has damaged the market.“I think for the role that I pitch in, late in the game and high-leverage situations, there ...MLBAP source: Justin Wilson, Mets agree to $10M, 2-year dealBy RONALD BLUMJanuary 25, 2019NEW YORK (AP) — Making another move to bolster their bullpen, the New York Mets agreed to a $10 million, two-year contract with left-hander Justin Wilson.The agreement was disclosed to The Associated Press by a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity ...MLBAP source: Rangers, Cabrera agree to $3.5M, 1-year dealBy STEPHEN HAWKINSJanuary 23, 2019DALLAS (AP) — The Texas Rangers have found a veteran to play third base after the retirement of Adrian Beltre.Free agent Asdrubal Cabrera has agreed to a $3.5 million, one-year contract with the Rangers, according to a person familiar with the deal. That person spoke to The Associated ...AP's Member Network:Wilkes-Barre Citizens' VoiceMets’ Legend Mookie Wilson At W-B Friendly Sons DinnerFebruary 14, 2019Wilkes-Barre Citizens' VoiceN.Y. Mets Mookie Wilson At Friendly Sons BanquetFebruary 13, 2019The SunSox Accept White House InvitationDecember 4, 2018The SunBaird Leaving Red Sox Position for the MetsNovember 29, 2018The Washington TimesJacob deGrom dethrones Max Scherzer as NL Cy Young winnerNovember 15, 2018MLBWilmer Flores, Diamondbacks finalize $4.25M, 1-year contractBy JOHN MARSHALLJanuary 22, 2019PHOENIX (AP) — Wilmer Flores endeared himself to New York Mets fans when he got emotional during a game in 2015 after believing media reports he had been traded.About 3½ years later, a deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks suits him just fine.Flores and the Diamondbacks finalized a ...MLBEd Kranepool, Aaron Boone to receive Thurman Munson awardsJanuary 18, 2019NEW YORK (AP) — New York Mets 1969 World Series champion Ed Kranepool and Yankees manager Aaron Boone will be honored at next month’s Thurman Munson awards dinner.They will be joined Feb. 5 by Yankees Didi Gregorius and Miguel Andujar, along with Giants two-time Super Bowl champion Zak ...MLBLowrie can earn bonus with Mets for 550 plate appearancesJanuary 17, 2019NEW YORK (AP) — Jed Lowrie can earn a $500,000 performance bonus during each season of his deal with the New York Mets if he makes 550 plate appearances.The Mets and the infielder finalized the $20 million, two-year contract on Wednesday. He gets a $5 million signing bonus, of which $1 ...MLBAP source: Diamondbacks sign Wilmer Flores to 1-year dealBy JOHN MARSHALLJanuary 17, 2019PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a one-year, $3.75 million contract with former New York Mets infielder Wilmer Flores, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the agreement had not ...MLBMets newcomer Lowrie ready to play all over the diamondBy RONALD BLUMJanuary 16, 2019NEW YORK (AP) — Jed Lowrie would rather talk about wine than whine.The infielder visited Citi Field on Wednesday after finalizing a $20 million, two-year contract with the New York Mets, likely less money and a shorter term than he would have gotten before the free-agent market for ...MLBAL MVP Betts agrees to $20 million, 1-year deal with Red SoxJanuary 12, 2019BOSTON (AP) — Mookie Betts keeps putting up big numbers.The AL MVP and the World Series champion Boston Red Sox agreed to a $20 million, one-year contract Friday, a raise of $9.5 million that was for a few hours the highest for an arbitration-eligible player.Betts was later ...MLBBetts, deGrom, Davis get big-money deals, avoid arbitrationBy RONALD BLUMJanuary 12, 2019NEW YORK (AP) — AL MVP Mookie Betts, NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom and major league home run champion Khris Davis reached high-priced one-year deals to avoid salary arbitration, while slugger Nolan Arenado and pitchers Gerrit Cole, Luis Severino and Aaron Nola were among 15 players still ...MLBMets, deGrom agree to $17 million, 1-year contractBy MIKE FITZPATRICKJanuary 12, 2019NEW YORK (AP) — NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom and the New York Mets agreed to a $17 million, one-year contract, a record raise for an arbitration-eligible player from his $7.4 million salary last year.The Mets reached deals with all six eligible players before Friday’s scheduled ...MLBAP source: Jed Lowrie, Mets agree to $20M, 2-year contractBy RONALD BLUMJanuary 10, 2019NEW YORK (AP) — Free agent infielder Jed Lowie and the New York Mets have agreed to a $20 million, two-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Thursday because the agreement is subject to a ...MLBLuis Avilan agrees to minor league contract with MetsJanuary 10, 2019NEW YORK (AP) — Left-handed reliever Luis Avilan has agreed to a minor league contract with the New York Mets and will report to major league spring training.The 29-year-old Venezuelan held left-handed batters to a .220 (18 for 82) average last year, when he was 2-1 with a 3.77 ERA and ...MLBMets’ d’Arnaud gets $40,000 raise after missing most of 2018January 9, 2019NEW YORK (AP) — Catcher Travis d’Arnaud got a $40,000 raise from the New York Mets to $3,515,000 despite missing nearly all of last season following Tommy John surgery.New York agreed to the deal with d’Arnaud on Dec. 22 but did not announce it.D’Arnaud, who turns 30 on Feb. 10, ...MonterreyOrioles-Yanks, Mets-Nats start MLB’s regular opening dayJanuary 9, 2019NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees host Baltimore and Washington is at home against the New York Mets on March 28, the first games of the earliest regular major league opening day.The commissioner’s office announced games times Wednesday for the schedule, which was released in August. ...MLBIndians agree with new catcher Kevin Plawecki at $1,137,500By The Associated PressJanuary 9, 2019CLEVELAND (AP) — The Indians avoided salary arbitration with new catcher Kevin Plawecki, who agreed to a one-year contract for $1,137,500.Plawecki was acquired Sunday from the New York Mets. He made $557,471 last season, when he batted .201 with seven homers and a career-high 30 ...MLBHector Santiago agrees to minor league contract with MetsJanuary 8, 2019NEW YORK (AP) — Left-hander Hector Santiago has agreed to a minor league contract with the New York Mets.Santiago would get a $2 million salary in the major leagues and $150,000 in the minors if added to the 40-man roster as part of the deal announced Tuesday. He would be able to earn ...MLBDavid Wright to become New York Mets special adviserJanuary 8, 2019NEW YORK (AP) — Former New York Mets captain David Wright is becoming a special adviser to chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon and general manager Brodie Van Wagenen.In making the announcement Monday, the Mets said the 36-year-old third baseman would be placed on unconditional release ...MLBIndians get catching help, acquire Plawecki from MetsBy TOM WITHERSJanuary 6, 2019CLEVELAND (AP) — The Indians have replenished their bare catching cupboard.After trading top prospect Francisco Mejia and All-Star catcher Yan Gomes last year, the Indians had a void behind the plate and filled it Sunday by acquiring catcher Kevin Plawecki in a trade with the New York ...MLBMets get Broxton from Brewers for depth behind Lagares in CFJanuary 5, 2019NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets acquired outfielder Keon Broxton from the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday, giving them a center field option in addition to Juan Lagares.The Mets sent reliever Bobby Wahl to the Brewers along with a pair of minor leaguers, right-handed reliever Adam Hill ...MLBMets agree to minor league deal with OF BlancoDecember 22, 2018NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets have agreed to a minor league contract with outfielder Gregor Blanco that includes an invitation to major league camp for spring training.The Mets announced the deal on Friday.The 34-year-old Blanco spent last season with San Francisco, batting ...MLBRamos had grip on Mets from first handshakeBy RONALD BLUMDecember 18, 2018NEW YORK (AP) — Wilson Ramos had a grip on the New York Mets from the moment he walked into their winter meetings suite in Las Vegas last week.“It was his handshake,” new general manager Brodie Van Wagenen recalled Tuesday at the catcher’s introductory news conference. “As some of you may ...MLBFamilia preferred to return to Mets, who also add OF DavisDecember 17, 2018NEW YORK (AP) — Jeurys Familia would rather be a setup man for the New York Mets than a closer for someone else.Familia had 123 saves for the Mets, who traded him to Oakland last July. He instructed agents Sam and Seth Levinson to pursue any possibility to return to the ...MLBAP source: Wilson Ramos, Mets agree to $19M, 2-year dealBy RONALD BLUMDecember 17, 2018NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets have agreed to a $19 million, two-year contract with free agent catcher Wilson Ramos, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.The agreement signals an end to the Mets’ pursuit of Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto. Instead, New York turned to a ...MLBMets-inspired ponies put up wins at NYC horse racing trackDecember 15, 2018NEW YORK (AP) — Things are looking up for the New York Mets — at least at the local horse racing track.Two thoroughbreds with names riffing on the baseball team were winners Saturday at Aqueduct Racetrack in ...MLBFree agent reliever Familia reaches deal to return to MetsBy BEN WALKERDecember 13, 2018LAS VEGAS (AP) — The revamped New York Mets bullpen is set to include a very familiar face — longtime reliever Jeurys Familia.Familia reached agreement on a $30 million, three-year deal late Wednesday night with the team that traded him away last summer. The contract won’t be complete ...BaseballCallaway says it’s OK for Cano not to run out groundersBy RONALD BLUMDecember 12, 2018LAS VEGAS (AP) — Half a loaf is better than none for New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway when it comes to Robinson Cano.New York’s new second baseman has been criticized at times for not running hard to first base when he hits infield grounders. Callaway says the 36-year-old is just ...MLBChili Davis hired as Mets hitting coachDecember 9, 2018LAS VEGAS (AP) — Chili Davis has been hired as hitting coach of the New York Mets after spending last season in the role with the Chicago Cubs.Davis was hitting coach for Oakland manager Bob Melvin (2012-14) and Boston manager John Farrell (2015-2017) before moving to the Cubs under ...MLBLas Vegas baseball Triple-A team unveils new ‘Aviators’ nameDecember 8, 2018LAS VEGAS (AP) — The minor league baseball team formerly called the 51s will debut at its new suburban ballpark in April as the Las Vegas Aviators.Team owner the Howard Hughes Corp. unveiled the new name and logo Saturday near the 10,000-seat stadium being built at the company’s Downtown ...MLBMets hire Banner from Red Sox to head player developmentDecember 7, 2018NEW YORK (AP) — Jared Banner has been hired as the New York Mets’ executive director of player development after more than a decade with the Boston Red Sox.The Mets also promoted Ian Levin to senior director of baseball operations on Friday after two years as director of player ...MLBNew Mets GM vows more moves after adding Cano, DiazBy BEN WALKERDecember 4, 2018NEW YORK (AP) — Wearing red Santa’s helper hats, Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz got right to work for the New York Mets — as elves, handing out presents to school kids during the team’s holiday party at Citi Field.A day after the club added the star second baseman and ace closer, new ...MLBMets get Cano, Diaz and cash from Mariners in 7-player tradeDecember 4, 2018NEW YORK (AP) — Aiming for an instant upgrade after two failing seasons, the New York Mets and their rookie general manager turned to a most familiar face.The Mets made a splash — that much was certain — when they acquired eight-time All-Star second baseman Robinson Cano and major league ...MLBNew Mets assistant GM Baird believes team ready to win nowBy RONALD BLUMNovember 29, 2018NEW YORK (AP) — Allard Baird believes the New York Mets are ready to win now.“You need impact starting pitching and they have it here. That was one of the attractive things,” he said Thursday, a day after leaving the World Series champion Boston Red Sox to become an assistant general ...MLBFormer KC GM Baird to join Mets’ front office, leave Red SoxNovember 28, 2018NEW YORK (AP) — Former Kansas City general manager Allard Baird is joining the New York Mets as vice president and assistant general manager of scouting and player development.The Mets announced the move Wednesday. The 57-year-old Baird was the Royals’ general manager from June 2000 to ...MLBRiggleman knows he may be viewed as Mets’ manager in waitingBy RONALD BLUMNovember 27, 2018NEW YORK (AP) — A day after he was hired as the New York Mets’ bench coach, Jim Riggleman acknowledged he may be viewed as a manager in waiting should Mickey Callaway be fired.“I certainly understand that, but I just don’t let myself go there,” Riggleman said Tuesday. “I really fully ...