Mets Morning News: Actual baseball games happened

Meet the Mets

The Mets played their first spring training games yesterday, losing 5-3 to the Marlins and 1-0 to the Cardinals in split squad action. Rick Porcello and Wilson Ramos worked together for the first time and Luis Rojas managed his first game, among other firsts.

There are reportedly “no significant bidders” for the Mets at this time, which means the chances that Steve Cohen may be back in the picture are rising.

The Mets are utilizing drones and TrackMan this spring, among other tech updates.

Dominic Smith grew up idolizing Kobe Bryant and Bryant even wished him congratulations when he made the big leagues, which is why the death of the basketball star hit Smith particularly hard.

Ex-Met Robin Ventura has returned to college to earn his degree.

Around the National League East

Felix Hernandez pitched two scoreless innings for Atlanta in his first start in a Braves uniform.

The Nationals were thrown into the fire in their first spring training game, which was against the Astros, who were on the receiving end of vitriol from fans, even though most of the primary personalities involved in the cheating scandal weren’t even playing. But Dave Martinez said that he expects the Nationals to be “professional” when facing then now-hated Astros.

The Nationals are going to give Victor Robles a shot in the leadoff spot this season.

Nick Pivetta spent the offseason working on his changeup and was able to use it in game action yesterday. The Phillies tied the Tigers 8-8 in their first spring training game.

Around Major League Baseball

Jeff Passan of ESPN writes about the abuse and death threats many Astros players are now facing online.

A profile of Jim Crane in the Wall Street Journal sorts through the details of his checkered past in business.

David Lennon of Newsday believes the Astros should be stripped of their 2017 World Series title by Rob Manfred.

David Waldstein of the New York Times takes a look at how Manfred has gotten himself into this very precarious position in the aftermath of the Astros cheating scandal.

Fans in Canada will no longer be able to watch the Blue Jays on MLB.tv and now will have to buy a separate streaming service if they wish to watch games online, highlighting MLB’s continuing problem with blackout restrictions.

The White Sox have reached a five-year, $16 million deal with Aaron Bummer that includes two club options.

This Date in Mets History

Happy birthday to one of the more infamous Mets in franchise history. Bobby Bonilla was born on this date in 1963.