The Mets are wasting no time getting their competitive juices flowing, as they put together a sim game Sunday morning -- the first of many to come.
And it was only right that manager Luis Rojas had Jacob deGrom on the mound with the starters behind him to kick it off. The game went smoothly with deGrom letting up a couple hits, one to Yoenis Cespedes, while striking out two batters, including Pete Alonso.
Overall, it was good for Rojas to see everyone involved, chirping at each other and getting out of the routine of just doing drills.
“We wanted that sim game to get the matchups going, hitters versus pitchers, and it featured a lot of good things," Rojas said. "Watching Jake pitch, watching mid-season form. Some of the guys getting [to face] Jake in mid-season form, so that was good to see those matchups.
“It was a good day. I’m glad we got that competitive vibe out there.”
There will be plenty more sim games to watch as the Mets progress into Opening Day, which is reportedly against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field.
Here's what else Rojas touched on in his post-practice presser:
Transparency and COVID-19 tests
Teams have been transparent with their initial coronavirus testing in regards to naming the players who have been positive. The Braves did it with Freddie Freeman, and the Yankees did the same with DJ LeMahieu and Luis Cessa.
Rojas did say this when asked about that transparency:
"If we get to that extent, I mean definitely," he said.
Rojas didn't divulge on the intake testing the Mets went through, as he said he doesn't have the results yet.
Jed Lowrie is a "full go"
Lowrie was seen with that knee brace on over the weekend, and one reporter asked what he's able to do at this point. Obviously, Lowrie basically missed his first season as a Met, only playing in nine games toward the end of the season.
Rojas says that the utility infielder is able to do everything his teammates have, and that's what will happen in the afternoon workout.
“He’s full go," Rojas said. "He’s transitioning to the brace so he’s going into the same activity that we did this morning.”
Tyler Bashlor impressed
Opposite of deGrom was Bashlor to start off the sim game (Drew Smith was another pitcher, and he retired six of seven batters as he battles for a roster spot as well). Rojas was particularly impressed with his outing that saw five straight batters go down.
Rojas discussed Bashlor's usage of his secondary pitches of late, and how they have perfectly complemented his high-spin rate fastball.
"I’ve known Bashlor for a couple years back now pitching in our minor league system," he explained. "Always a good fastball, able to pitch up in the zone with his velo and his fastball has some special spin to get some chases up there."