Mets Morning News: Lugo to start against U.S., Rosario among minor leaguers cut

Meet the Mets

Amed Rosario and five other minor leaguers were cut from the Mets’ big league camp. On the field, Jay Bruce made his spring training debut at first base. Jacob deGrom struck out six over four innings in his most recent outing, at one point touching 97 MPH.

Seth Lugo will start for Puerto Rico against the U.S. in the WBC on Friday.

Anthony Rescan of Beyond The Box Score lauded Robert Gsellman, who has “staying power” as a big league starter.

Sam Dykstra of MiLB.com profiled four standout pitchers in the Mets’ farm system.

Scott Simon of BP Mets discussed Noah Syndergaard’s and Jacob deGrom’s protests of minimum-salary contract renewals.

Betsy Helfand of the Las Vegas Review-Journal spoke with former Las Vegas 51s players who are competing for a roster spot this spring.

Around the NL East

Phillies prospect Nick Williams is ready to rebound from a “lousy” 2016.

If the Nationals release Derek Norris within the next 24 hours, they’ll only be on the hook for one-sixth of his $4.2 million salary.

Phillies manager Pete Mackanin praised Jorge Alfaro’s “tremendous power potential.”

Free agent first baseman Billy Butler could be a fit with the Marlins, Scott Gelman of Fish Stripes writes.

Around Major League Baseball

Yankees manager Joe Girardi is worried about the physical toll of pitching in the WBC.

Eno Sarris of Fangraphs detailed Yonder Alonso’s changed approach at the plate.

Kenta Maeda’s translator, Will “The Thrill” Ireton, is a clubhouse favorite.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter isn’t concerned with his team’s lack of speed.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Steve Schreiber shared a few random Pi Day facts related to the Mets.

Lukas Vlahos stated the case for Michael Conforto to start in 2017.

David Capobianco previewed Yoenis Cespedes’s season.

This Date in Mets History

On this date in 1993, Michael Fulmer was born. A former top pitching prospect in the Mets organization, Fulmer was traded with Luis Cessa for Yoenis Cespedes at the 2015 trade deadline.