Mets Morning News: Steven Matz sidelined, Jeurys Familia receives suspension

Meet the Mets

Steven Matz still felt some discomfort after throwing earlier in the week and will be sent for a MRI.

Jeurys Familia received a 15-game suspension from Major League Baseball for his domestic violence incident during the offseason. The reactions to the suspension were varied, but this might’ve been the only sentence Commissioner Rob Manfred could hand out in this instance.

With Matz out, there’s at least one spot available in the back end of the rotation, but the beginning of the rotation is set for the opening series against the Braves.

Even with the injury, the Mets’ depth in both the rotation and bullpen puts them in a good position when the season starts.

What do the Mets need to do to remain contenders this season?

Noah Syndergaard got in a final tune-up before taking the ball for Opening Day, and his already lethal arsenal is expanding.

Rafael Montero continued his highly successful spring with another two scoreless innings against the Braves and is a candidate to round out the bullpen.

Juan Lagares’s oblique feels much better, and he expects to be ready for Opening Day.

Around the NL East

The Braves are getting ready to move into a new stadium, and they unveiled a new statue of Hank Aaron that will be a fixture in their new home. Freddie Freeman swung and missed at an alarming rate last year.

The Marlins are still looking to add to their rotation especially since they are lacking pitching depth. Outfielder Ichiro Suzucki would like to play baseball until he is 50 years old.

The Nationals made some roster cuts but they still have some roster decisions that need to be made before Opening Day.

Around the Majors

There is a group of investors that is making a push to bring baseball back to Montreal.

Despite putting up good numbers in spring, Yankees’ young outfielder Aaron Judge could start the season in the minors.

Home runs are on the rise all across the league and access to data might be a contributing factor.

Kolten Wong is not happy with his role on the Cardinals, and the Cardinals are not too happy with him either.

It is never to early for awards season, the predictions are in!

Yesterday at AA

Matt Varvaro asked who will be the best position player in 2017.

Max Gelman thinks there is some uncertainty surrounding Matt Harvey this season.

Chris McShane believes Seth Lugo will be a valuable member of the team.

Jacob deGrom is poised to have a sensational year according to Brett Hartley.

Kevin Duffy took a look back at “Mr. March” Darren Reed.

Eric Simon covered Familia’s suspension by Major League Baseball.

Brian Salvatore wrote about Steven Matz and how he will not be ready for Opening Day.

This Date in Mets History

The Mets finished up their series against the Cubs in Japan on this date in 2000. Benny Agbayani’s grand slam in the eleventh inning sealed the win and a split of the series.

In 2001, Doc Gooden officially announced his retirement.