Morning Briefing: Murphy Defeats Utley in London Home Run Derby – Metsmerized Online
Good morning, Mets fans! Daniel Murphy defeated Chase Utley in a virtual home run derby in London on Friday. The derby was a promotional event held in Trafalgar Square before this weekend’s series in London between the Mets and Phillies. Legendary home run derby pitcher and former Mets bench coach Dave Jauss pitched to Murphy. The London Series gets underway Saturday afternoon at 1:10 p.m. ET. Sean Manaea (3-2, 3.63 ERA) and Ranger Suárez (9-1, 1.70) are the starters in game one of the two-game set.
Latest Mets News
The Mets announced on Friday that Jett Williams underwent right wrist surgery with a recovery time in the 8-10 week range. Williams has only played in 11 games this season and will now miss most of the rest of the season. MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo reported that Francisco Alvarez‘s return to the big leagues will be slightly delayed, as he had to return to Venezuela for a family matter. Alvarez was expected to join the Mets immediately following their series in London, but the Mets will have to wait at least a few more days. DiComo also reported that Edwin Díaz, who made a rehab appearance in Brooklyn on Thursday, will pitch again for Brooklyn on Sunday. Mike Puma of the New York Post reported that Kodai Senga will throw a bullpen session early next week as he continues rehabbing for a return to the major leagues. Puma also noted that Brett Baty is joining the Mets as the 27th man in London, and Baty is going to begin taking reps at second base as he looks to find a way back onto the major league roster. David Wright sat down with Michelle Margaux of SNY to talk about his experience in London so far, growing baseball internationally, and what he has seen from the Mets this year.
Latest MLB News
The Tigers announced that they traded infielder Buddy Kennedy to the Phillies in exchange for cash considerations. Kennedy has a .714 OPS in Triple-A and a home run in 13 big league plate appearances this year. Per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, the Rays designated Harold Ramírez for assignment to make room for Taylor Walls. Ramírez was a .300 hitter each of the past two seasons and he was especially productive in 2023 with an .813 OPS. However, he’s only batting .268 this year with a .589 OPS, hindered by only three walks and four extra-base hits in 48 games played. John Schneider, manager of the Blue Jays, told reporters that starter Alek Manoah will undergo UCL surgery later this month and miss the rest of the season. Manoah was having somewhat of a bounceback campaign this year, as he had a 3.70 ERA in five starts.
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In the latest Mets Minors Recap, Michael Mayer recaps Thursday’s games including another Ryan Clifford home run in Binghamton. Andrew Steele-Davis provides some important information on the history of baseball in London and which Mets have played in London before.
On This Date in Mets History
1965: The first ever MLB draft of eligible high school and college draftees was held on this date in 1965. The Mets drafted Les Rohr second overall, and he had a very brief major league career. In the 12th round with the 295th overall pick, however, the Mets drafted Nolan Ryan out of Alvin High School in Alvin, Texas.
Birthdays: R.J. Alvarez (33), Terrance Gore (33), T.J. McFarland (35), Dave Mlicki (56), John Gibbons (62)
