Mets Morning News: Matz struggles against crosstown rivals, Wright experiencing stiffness

Meet the Mets

The Mets took a 6-3 loss to the Yankees, as Steven Matz surrendered five runs in a disastrous second inning. Though Matz settled down to record two scoreless innings before departing, manager Terry Collins emphasized the young starter's need to "get tuned up."

Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, and Jeurys Familia are all featured on Sports Illustrated's annual baseball preview issue.

The use of smokeless tobacco at New York City sporting events has been banned. For what it's worth, Mets first baseman Lucas Duda and Yankees reliever Andrew Miller didn't exactly seem thrilled with the announcement.

The Mets may enter the regular season with their starting lineup fully intact, as Asdrubal Cabrera claimed to be hopeful for his Opening Day availability.

Dilson Herrera played the role of hero for his native Colombia in the World Baseball Classic qualifier, hitting a go-ahead home run in a match-up against Panama.

Three-time All-Star Starlin Castro gave props to Noah Syndergaard, deeming Thor the Mets pitcher he'd least like to face.

David Wright may be experiencing leg stiffness, but Terry Collins isn't concerned just yet. Daily stiffness may be expected, as the Mets' captain requires three hours of preparation for batting practice.

Lucas Duda demonstrated his golf swing in the latest update from @WeFollowLucasDuda.

Around the Majors

The Miami Marlins were featured on Sports Illustrated's season preview series, with the team projected to finish 2016 with a 78-84 record.

The Dodgers suffered a substantial blow, as outfielder Andre Ethier will be out 10-to-14 weeks with a fractured tibia. In other injury news, Jon Gray of the Rockies will undergo an MRI for an abdomen injury, and A.J. Pollock of the Diamondbacks is expected to avoid the DL to open the season.

Jeff Sullivan of FanGraphs examined use of the defensive shift against left-handed hitters.

Charlie Wilmoth of Bucs Dugout listed five stories to watch for the 2016 Pirates, including the success of number three starter Jon Niese.

With U.S. President Barack Obama and Cuba President Raul Castro present, the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cuban National Team played in front of a capacity crowd at Estadio Latinoamericano in Havana.

The Braves are actively trying to kill their fans, as evidenced by the team's menu additions for the coming season.

Philadelphia's Triple-A affiliate will play as the "Lehigh Valley Cheesesteaks" on June 10, which really isn't a much more embarrassing name than "Iron Pigs."

Yesterday at AA

Greg Karam deconstructed the Mets' "baffling" release of Ruben Tejada, criticizing the organization's short-term thinking.

Austin Yamada questioned whether Lucas Duda is an objectively streaky hitter.

Jonathan Maseng reminded us of the time Donald Trump tried to buy the Mets.

This Date in Mets History

On this date in 2007, former Mets GM Omar Minaya signed utilityman Fernando Tatis to a minor league deal. After spending a full season in Triple-A New Orleans, Tatis would play a substantial role at the big league level over the next three years, posting a .790 OPS through 678 at-bats from 2008-10.

Happy 50th birthday to Mike Remlinger! A native of Middletown, NY, Remlinger spent parts of two seasons with the Mets before finding success with the Braves later in his career.