Mets Notes: Edwin Diaz’s next appearance, Francisco Alvarez impressing defensively
Here are the latest Mets notes as spring training rolls on...
Edwin Diaz's next spring appearance
With Opening Day fast approaching, the Mets closer needs to ramp up and we now know when his next appearance this spring will be.
Following Tuesday's win over the Cardinals, manager Carlos Mendoza revealed that Diaz will pitch in Wednesday afternoon's game against the Miami Marlins in Jupiter, Fla.
Wednesday will be Diaz's third appearance against another team. In his two previous appearances, Diaz has pitched two perfect innings with three strikeouts. He also threw just 24 pitches. Diaz last threw on Sunday.
Mendoza also revealed that Christian Scott will start Wednesday's game. This will be the 24-year-old righty's second spring appearance and his first start.
In his first appearance back on March 2, Scott gave up one run on one hit and one walk in his one inning of work. He did strike out one batter.
Francisco Alvarez's defense
While Alvarez is known for his offense, his catching skills should not be overlooked.
In 12 games (69 innings) this spring, Alvarez has had four runners steal a base on him, while he's caught eight batters stealing including another in Tuesday's win. His eight caught stealing is three more than any other major league catcher this spring, per MLB.com's Anthony DiComo.
"He’s a really good receiver but he’s got a cannon and he’s continued to do better," Mendoza said of Alvarez's defense. "The quickness and the ability to get the ball to second base with accuracy. He’s having a really good camp, so far, behind the plate."
Sean Manaea feeling great this spring
Manaea tossed another solid spring outing on Tuesday. In five innings, he gave up one run on four hits, one walk while striking out six batters.
As Mendoza said, he was most impressed by Manaea's ability to push through innings when he was not getting strike calls or the defense behind him failed. But what stood out most for Manea after his start was how he was feeling with his pitches.
"We’re in a really great spot. From a pitch standpoint, this is the best I’ve ever felt in spring training," Manaea said after Tuesday's game. "That’s really encouraging, everything’s feeling really good…. Just keep doing that, keep building up and we’re in a good spot for the opening series."
In three spring starts, Manaea has allowed just four runs over 11.2 innings while striking 14 batters.
His next and final spring start will likely be Monday against the Yankees.
