Mets Morning News: Wright starting rehab assignment, Matz to return Thursday

Meet the Mets

The Mets lost to the Marlins 4-3 in walk-off fashion. Corey Oswalt delivered a quality start and Todd Frazier drove in all three runs with a bases clearing double in the fourth inning, but the Mets lost the battle of the bullpens, as Bryan Holaday delivered a walk-off hit against Jacob Rhame in the 11th.

Choose your recap: Amazin’ Avenue short and long, Post, Daily News, Newsday, MLB.com, Bergen County Record.

This is not a drill. I repeat: this is not a drill. David Wright is going to play in an actual baseball game! After almost a year since he last played in a game, Wright is starting his rehab assignment today with Port St. Lucie. He will play five innings at third base.

Steven Matz felt good after throwing a simulated game yesterday and is set to come off the disabled list for Thursday’s double-header against the Phillies.

Jeurys Familia’s peripherals are looking pretty darn good since being traded to the A’s. Notably, his swinging strike rate is up—perhaps the result of using his slider more and his fastball less.

Around the National League East

The Phillies broke their 19 inning scoreless drought, beating the Padres 5-1 at Petco Park.

Miguel Rojas dedicated his home run in Friday night’s game to his late beloved pet dog, Almudena. He had been scared of dogs until he met Almudena and took the loss hard, playing through tears between innings.

In some roster maneuvering, the Phillies optioned breakout starter Zach Eflin to Triple-A to make room for their new acquisition Justin Bour. Eflin will return as the 26th man for Thursday’s double-header, after which they’ll have a decision to make.

Ryan Zimmerman homered twice and drove in six runs, as the Nationals beat the Cubs 9-4.

The Braves’ bullpen faltered, as they fell to the Brewers 4-2. With this loss, the Phillies regained sole possession of first place in the National League East.

Around Major League Baseball

There were some pretty amazing web gems around baseball yesterday (aside from Brandon Nimmo’s fantastic catch, of course). The revamped Dodger infield turned this beauty of a double play. Billy Hamilton did Billy Hamilton things to rob Paul Goldschmidt. And, uh, this throw happened.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. homered in his fourth straight Triple-A game yesterday. And the reason he is not in the majors has nothing to do with service time. No siree.

Barry Bonds’ number 25 was retired by the San Francisco Giants yesterday, as he stood in left field one last time.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Chris McShane delivered the update on David Wright’s rehab assignment.

Kory Powell gave us the daily prospect report.

This Date in Mets History

The longest strike in professional baseball history began on this date in 1994. It had been a promising season for the Mets, hovering around the .500 mark in August just one year after losing over 100 games.