Mets Morning News: Carlos Carrasco and Steve Cohen both arrive at camp

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Carlos Carrasco spoke to the media yesterday after arriving at Mets camp on Friday. He underwent additional testing for his heart and leukemia, which delayed his arrival, and has received the COVID-19 vaccine. He said that his teammates were happy to see him and that some were happy they didn’t have to face him anymore. Their reactions made him “really happy.”

Harol Gonzalez will start the Mets’ Grapefruit League opener against the Marlins tomorrow. Jordan Yamamoto will start the following day for the home opener.

“There’s a lot of talent there defensive-wise,” manager Luis Rojas said of top outfield prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong. “I’ve been on his field a few times, and I’ve been throwing BP and I turn around and I see him make an outstanding catch. He’s been making diving catches in BP. We have to tell him to take it easy sometimes. But he’s pretty confident out there.”

Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News wrote about seven-month long wild ride for Crow-Armstrong from the day he was drafted until now arriving at big league camp for the Mets.

Steve Cohen was also back at Mets camp yesterday and Luis Rojas said, “It’s great to have him around.” David Lennon of Newsday made it a point to note that he is not intruding on baseball activities.

After taking live BP off Sam McWilliams, Kevin Pillar described his stuff as “elite.” Luis Rojas sang McWilliams’ praises as well.

The Mets have hired Collin Hetzler to be their next Complex Hitting Coordinator.

Around the National League East

“I watched every game on TV last year. I don’t think I missed a pitch. But there’s nothing like going to the ballpark and going in the clubhouse and going on the field, communicating with the players and BS, or whatever, and chat and hit ‘em, and whatever, and tell ‘em how good they are. I missed it. I definitely missed it,” Charlie Manuel said about being healthy and back with the Phillies in Clearwater.

Rookie Huascar Ynoa was an unexpected key piece for the Braves in 2020 and manager Brian Snitker thinks that could be true again in 2021.

After being injured for much of the shortened 2020 season, Starlin Castro is ready to prove himself as a National.

Around Major League Baseball

In the next collective-bargaining agreement, incentives for teams to keep their best prospects down in the minor leagues must be eliminated, writes Joel Sherman of the Post.

In a rather cheeky tweet, Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that the Red Sox acquired Zach Bryant from the Cubs as the player to be named later in the Josh Osich trade.

Hunter Dozier and the Royals are in “serious talks” about a long-term contract extension.

Ken Davidoff of the Post reviewed the most pressing questions for the Yankees between now and Opening Day.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

We continued out season preview series with Vas Drimalitis taking a look at Brandon Drury’s path to a spot on the big league roster and Steve Sypa discussing what we can expect from Mark Vientos this year.

This Date in Mets History

The Mets acquired Dave Kingman (twice!) on February 28.