Mets Morning News: Jason “Ace” Vargas and the pen shutout Nationals

Meet the Mets

Jason Vargas has had his struggles this season, but on Friday he was every bit of an ace, striking out eight Nationals in six innings of near-flawless baseball. Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman helped complete the shutout as the Mets actually piled on two runs in the eighth thanks to the returning Jay Bruce to seal the victory, 3-0 over their spiraling rivals from Washington.

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

The Mets made a slew of roster moves on Friday, including reactivating Jay Bruce.

What does the future hold for Jay Bruce? According to Mickey Callaway, it could be starting at first base.

In addition the Bruce news, and saying Dominic Smith might not even get a look, Callway said Devin Mesoraco is day-to-day with a stiff neck, and could catch in an emergency though the team wants to give him a couple of days off.

The Mets appear likely to switch radio stations this offseason.

David Wright took another step forward in his comeback attempt and played a full nine innings in the minors on Friday.

Around the National League East

After the Marlins beat the Braves 1-0 in an epic pitching duel, Miami reliever Adam Conley hit himself in the face with a pie.

NBC Sports Philadelphia gave viewers a little more then they were looking for when they accidentally aired b-roll of a naked man sitting outside the CN Tower in Toronto before the Phillies loss against the Blue Jays.

Around Major League Baseball

Mike Trout paid tribute to his late brother-in-law in his return to the Angels on Friday.

Buster Posey may miss the start of the 2019 season due to his hip surgery.

Michael Kopech apologized for racist and homophobic tweets that surfaced this past week.

Matt Harvey just can’t catch a break. The Reds failed to come to an agreement on a trade with the Brewers, denying Harvey a shot at being in a pennant race.

Justin Verlander got a very funny and pricey bill when he dined at the Cabana Cafe in the Beverly Hills Hotel. Apparently being a “Dodger killer” isn’t cheap.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Thomas Henderson handled the Daily Prospect Report.

Vasilis Drimalitis previewed the Mets/Nationals series.

Joe Sokolowski was back with another “This Week in Mets Quotes.”

This Date in Mets History

Today would have been Clarence “Choo-Choo” Coleman’s 81st birthday. He died in 2016 at the age of 78.