Mets Morning News: Syndergaard dominates, Mejia suspended 162 games

Meet the Mets

Noah Syndergaard was dominant against the Padres. He took a perfect game into the seventh inning before surrendering a leadoff single to Will Venable. He ultimately went eight innings, while allowing three hits, and striking out nine. On the offensive end, Lucas Duda and Curtis Granderson both contributed two-run home runs. Tyler Clippard made his Mets debut with a scoreless ninth inning.

Choose your recap: Amazin' Avenue short and long, MLB.com, ESPN New York, New York Post, Daily News, Newsday, Star-Ledger, Wall Street Journal

For the second time this season, Jenrry Mejia was handed a suspension for using a banned substance. Since it is second offense, he has been suspended for 162 games.

Injury updates were provided for several players yesterday. First, David Wright joined the team at Citi Field, and participated in baseball activities, as he looks to return from spinal stenosis. Travis d'Arnaud, who has been rehabbing with the Binghamton Mets, is aiming to rejoin the team Friday. Finally, Steven Matz had his lat examined, and it was determined he would need another week of rest before being examined again.

Outfield prospect Brandon Nimmo was promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas and went one-for-two with two walks in his debut. He landed at number two on our midseason prospect list.

After being acquired by the Mets, Tyler Clippard declared the Nationals to be "beatable." Clippard spent his first seven seasons in Washington.

Around the NL East

Jose Fernandez out-pitched Jordan Zimmermann as the Marlins defeated the Nationals 4-1. Read recaps of the game at Federal Baseball and Fish Stripes.

The Phillies defeated the Blue Jays by a score of 3-2. Adam Morgan shut down Toronto's offense, allowing two runs over six innings.

The Braves fell to the Orioles 7-3. Julio Teheran started and struggled, allowing five runs in just four innings.

The Phillies and Nationals completed a trade within the division. The Phillies shipped reliever Jonathan Papelbon to Washington in exchange for Double-A pitcher Nick Pivetta.

Around MLB

Ben Zobrist was traded from Oakland to Kansas City. Zobrist had been on the Mets radar for some time, but the Mets elected to trade for Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson instead.

Yesterday saw reports of multiple teams making "strong" efforts to acquire Cole Hamels. First, it was reported that the Giants were in the mix, and later on, the Astros were included in the race to land the left-hander's services.

The Angels acquired outfielders David Murphy and David DeJesus in separate trades yesterday. In both deals, the Angels parted with low-level prospects.

The Hall of Fame has made a change in its voting procedures. BBWAA members who are more than 10 years removed from covering baseball will no longer be allowed to vote.

This Date in Mets History

In 2004, Eric Valent hit for the cycle against the Expos. He was the eighth member of the Mets to do so.