Mets Morning News: MLB releases 2020 schedule amid testing mess

Meet the Mets

The Mets unveiled their full 2020 schedule, which features 40 games against the NL East and 20 games against the AL East.

The Mets will open the season at Citi Field against the Braves. The game will air on ESPN at 4:10pm EDT.

The Mets will host Atlanta after finishing the 2019 season against the Braves.

Tom Verducci sees the Mets as one of the losers following the release of the 2020 schedule.

Here are some things to look for in the team’s abbreviated schedule.

The start to Summer Camp has been encouraging for the Mets, despite the times being very strange. (Paywall Alert)

Steven Matz had his teammates gushing after his first simulated started, which turned some heads.

When the season begins, Jacob deGrom will be the reigning two-time Cy Young Award winner and is still aiming for that third even if it will feel different in a shortened season.

deGrom also mentioned he felt “safe and comfortable so far” with testing. He is in line to pitch on Opening Day for the Amazins.

During the delay, deGrom threw off a mound twice a week to Patrick Mazeika.

Brandon Nimmo knows there’s no time to waste but believes he has enough time to get the at-bats he needs to be ready for Opening Day.

Mets assistant GM Adam Guttridge and bench coach Hensley Meulens have been absent from camp so far. Meulens will report today.

Meulens has helped turn Curaçao into a baseball paradise.

Steve Cohen is looking to make another push to buy the Mets. The bid is expected to come before the first round deadline on Thursday.

To date, first round bids on the team appear weak and below the $2 billion mark according to sources.

This week’s Mets Mailbag focused on Jed Lowrie’s contract, Edwin Diaz’s role on the team, the chances of resigning Marcus Stroman, and more.

Around the National League East

Zack Wheeler might not finish the 2020 season. The former Met is expecting the birth of his child later this summer.

Phillies outfielder Andrew McCutchen said that the Yankees’ hair policy takes away from a player’s individualism.

The Nationals were one of several teams who shut down workouts yesterday due to a lack of results from recent coronavirus tests. In a statement, Nationals’ GM Mike Rizzo didn’t mince words, saying Summer Camp is not safe without “accurate and timely testing.”

Rob Manfred, always focusing on the wrong things, thought Rizzo was insubordinate with his comments.

The MLB season is at risk as a result of these testing issues. (Paywall Alert)

Following an “eye-opening talk” with teammate Freddie Freeman, who recently tested positive for coronavirus, Nick Markakis has chosen to opt out of the 2020 season.

Jarrett Seidler listed some prospects from the 60-player roster pool fans of NL East teams may and may not see during the pandemic-shortened season. (Paywall Alert)

Around Major League Baseball

MLB officially released the 2020 schedule. The highlight includes the Yankees visiting the Nationals and the Giants facing the Dodgers on Opening Day on July 23.

The “Field of Dreams” game will happen on August 13 and will feature the Cardinals and White Sox.

We’ve already seen quite a few players opt out of the 2020 season due to health concerns, but it’s often the players who’ve earned the most or have job security that are afforded the opportunity to make that decision, while the rest have no choice but to play.

The Astros informed players and staff they would not be holding workouts as they were awaiting test results from Friday. GM James Click shared a statement in which he affirmed that “the safety of our players and staff remains our top priority.”

The Cardinals also canceled workouts yesterday due to a lack of test results.

Kris Bryant is perturbed by the lack of testing. The Cubs star was tested on Tuesday, and then not again until Sunday. He said, “You can’t have hiccups like this.” He released a full statement expanding on his current feelings on testing.

Yankees’ skipper Aaron Boone expressed confidence in MLB’s testing.

MLB shared a statement in the wake of the testing problems they experienced over the weekend.

Joel Sherman lamented that the MLB season is being threatened by this testing mess and explored the “perfect storm” that led to this debacle.

David Lennon argued that MLB must reach perfection with its testing.

Errors continue to pile up for baseball, which makes its return in 2020 seem like a longer shot than ever.

The MLBPA sent a statement to player agents saying that the league and union are “actively pursuing an additional medical lab site to increase the speed and efficiency of test processing and reporting.”

Former Mets third baseman Todd Frazier lost his grandmother to COVID-19. Now, his mission is to keep younger players in line and make sure they take the protocols seriously.

The Brewers announced that Angel Perdomo and Luis Urias tested positive for coronavirus. They are currently in COVID protocol.

Joey Gallo of the Rangers was the latest star to test positive.

Kole Calhoun joined the list of players who’ve tested positive.

The Giants revealed two more positive tests, but did not release the names of the players.

Brandon Guyer announced his retirement from baseball.

Giancarlo Stanton believes he can play in the outfield at some point this season, but will likely begin the year as the DH.

Major League Baseball in Nashville? It could soon be a reality. Former Red Sox executive Dave Dombrowski has joined the initiative to bring a team to Nashville.

MLB will celebrate Jackie Robinson Day on August 28.

The Athletic asked writers to share a standout book about the teams they cover. (Paywall Alert)

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

I recapped the MLB schedule reveal and who the Mets will be playing this season.

Maggie Wiggin previewed Pete Alonso’s 2020 season and looks at what he can do for an encore after a historic rookie campaign.

From Complex to Queens recorded the nicest episode of their podcast, which focused on MiLB officially announcing the cancellation of the 2020 season (which is very not nice).

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.

This Date in Mets Baseball

The Mets hosted their first and only All Star Game at Shea Stadium on this date in 1964. Second baseman Ron Hunt was the lone representative for New York. The NL won 7-4 on a Johnny Callison walk-off home run in the ninth.