Meet the Mets
Last night, Daniel Murphy was selected to represent the Mets at the 2014 MLB All-Star game in Minneapolis. It seems like just yesterday we were wondering if there would ever be a position he could stick at, and now Murphy is one of the top second basemen in all of baseball. Die-hard Mets fans aren't the only ones #With28 these days.
On the other side of the coin, David Wright will be missing out on the festivities for the third time since his rookie season. Jon Niese was also snubbed, but he would have had to been replaced due to his recent injury in any case.
A five-run first inning as well as home runs from part-timers Anthony Recker and Kirk Nieuwenhuis boosted the Amazins to a 8-4 win over the Rangers. Zack Wheeler pitched 6.1 solid innings to wrap up the series in New York's favor.
Recap Parade: Amazin' Avenue, MLB.com, ESPN NY, New York Times, Post, Daily News, Newsday, Star-Ledger
Wheeler has been able to put together a pair of pretty good starts since his disaster of an outing in Atlanta on June 25.
Just as we suspected, the Mets announced on Sunday that Niese is headed to the disabled list. The team is calling the injury a "shoulder strain," but insist that Niese is not in any pain or discomfort. Rather, his pitches aren't as effective as they should be, and that is evident in his dipping fastball velocity.
Buddy Carlyle has joined the Mets to take Niese's roster spot, but he's expected to be sent back to Las Vegas when Dillon Gee comes off the DL to make a start on Wednesday.
Mets minor leaguers Wuilmer Becerra and Vicente Lupo were arrested for allegedly drag racing in Kingsport, Tennessee on early Friday morning.
Hardball Talk has a fun recap of "Seinfeld Night" held by the Brooklyn Cyclones on Saturday.
Around the NL East
The Braves saw their nine-game winning streak come to an end when they fell to the Diamondbacks 3-1 on Sunday.
Henderson Alvarez wasn't selected to take part in the All-Star Game, but he pitched like a stud once again against the Cardinals.
The Good Phight says the Phils must trade Cole Hamels in order to restock the organization's ailing farm system.
Jordan Zimmermann and Ryan Zimmerman played key roles in a 2-1 Nationals win over the Cubs in the rubber game of that series.
Although the Nationals are loaded with talent, Zimmermann was their only player to make the NL All-Star roster. Anthony Rendon can still be voted in by the fans.
Around the Majors
Here is the entire NL All-Star roster. Former Mets Carlos Gomez and Francisco Rodriguez made the cut. The AL side features Scott Kazmir, but no R.A. Dickey or Jose Reyes. Derek Jeter, of course, is starting at shortstop.
There is still one roster spot on each All-Star team up for grabs. Fans can vote for one of five pitchers to fill the AL spot and for one of five hitters to join the NL squad.
Struggling veteran outfielder Alfonso Soriano was designated for assignment by the Yankees on Sunday. He's now reportedly contemplating retirement.
The Bronx Bombers were busy on Sunday, also trading lefty starter Vidal Nuno to Arizona for right-handed starter Brandon McCarthy.
Angels pitcher Mike Morin made a ridiculous catch on a play that looked like it was destined for the blooper reel.
Yesterday at AA
On this date in 1964, Shea Stadium hosted the 35th MLB All-Star Game.