Mets Morning News: Nature is healing, but Jed Lowrie is not

Meet the Mets

Luis Rojas formally announced that Jed Lowrie would begin the season on the injured list with left knee discomfort, adding to an already bizarre and sad situation for the veteran.

Somehow, the ongoing Lowrie injury saga has gotten even worse.

Walker Lockett landed on the IL with lower back discomfort.

Outfielder Jake Marisnick’s Opening Day status is in jeopardy as he deals with “a little bit of [left] hamstring tightness”, according to the skipper. He participated in baserunning drills yesterday.

The Mets’ starting pitching is in a precarious position right now and cannot afford to lose Jacob deGrom, who is “Mr. Indispensable”.

Rick Porcello is typically used to a full-season marathon, but now he is preparing for a 60-game sprint.

If you can’t get enough of Pete Alonso, the Mets’ All Star first baseman will be mic’d up this season for a Youtube series.

Joel Sherman wondered whether the bigger question around Robinson Cano shouldn’t be where he hits in the lineup, but whether he should be in there at all.

Over the offseason, the Mets had staff members visiting Cano to make sure he came to camp in better shape.

Ken Rosenthal took readers inside A-Rod and J Lo’s audacious bid to buy the Mets. (Paywall Alert)

Gary Cohen has never experienced anything like calling road games from an empty Citi Field, which will happen this season.

The new set-up is like ‘outer space’ for Mets’ broadcasters.

This week’s Mets Mailbag looks at who might make the team, why the Mets continue to struggle defensively, and whether Cano will be the go-to for the third spot in the lineup, among other things.

Around the National League East

The Phillies have released ex-Met reliever Anthony Swarzak.

Former Mets first base coach and ex-Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. will join the NBC Sports Philadelphia broadcast team in 2020.

The Washington Post examined what it means for the Nationals to defend their World Series title in a shortened season.

Meanwhile, the Nationals announced that Dr. Anthony Fauci will throw out the first pitch on Opening Day at Nationals Park on July 23.

The Braves have signed former Mets legend Matt Adams.

The Braves have axed the “Chop On” sculpture that was stationed outside of Truist Park.

Around Major League Baseball

During the weekend’s exhibition games, the league noticed some instances of players breaking the newly-implemented social distancing rules. MLB plans to speak to teams about following these guidelines.

The Sports Illustrated staff made their predictions for the 2020 MLB season, including their thoughts on which team will win the World Series.

With no fans in the stands, the Astros will escape being booed by opposing crowds.

The Pirates released a statement about the possibility of hosting Blue Jays home games at PNC Park during the season.

Another option is holding Blue Jays home games in Camden Yards should other options fall through. The Orioles and Blue Jays have no overlapping home games in September.

Padres prospects Taylor Trammell and Lee Solomon have been stepping up against racial justice, with Trammell staging a silent protest that he plans to continue. (Paywall Alert)

The Reds granted Derek Dietrich’s request to be released.

The Athletics have placed prized young starter A.J. Puk on the injured list, and there is a ‘level of concern’ there.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Chris McShane provided updates on the injuries to Lowrie, Lockett, and Marisnick.

I previewed deGrom’s season, where he will take the mound on Opening Day as the reigning two-time Cy Young winner.

Dave Capobianco discussed Eduardo Nunez’s chances to make the team’s 30-man Opening Dya roster in his season preview.

Jack McLoone looked at Max Moroff’s odds of making the Mets out of summer camp in his season preview of the infielder.

Steve Sypa provided an update on the CPBL team, the KBO team, and the NPB team that the From Complex to Queens team has been following this year.

Episode 71 of From Complex to Queens centered on the history of the Binghamton Mets/Rumble Ponies.

This Date in Mets History

On this date in 2004, a 21-year-old by the name of David Wright made his major league debut for the Mets. Starting at third base and batting seventh, he went hitless in four at-bats in the team’s 5-4 victory against the Montreal Expos.