logo
Max Kranick, a childhood Mets fan, closes out win in Citi Field opener: ‘I'll remember this one forever'

Max Kranick, a childhood Mets fan, closes out win in Citi Field opener: ‘I'll remember this one forever'

Yahoo05-04-2025
Max Kranick, a childhood Mets fan, closes out win in Citi Field opener: 'I'll remember this one forever'
Max Kranick couldn't believe it.
After learning last week that he made the Mets' Opening Day roster, the right-handed reliever received a congratulatory text message from David Wright, his favorite player growing up.
Advertisement
'I was sitting with [catcher] Hayden Senger on the bus and I just showed him my phone,' Kranick recalled Friday. 'Like, 'Is this real?' It was pretty cool. Really nice of him to send a text and congratulate me. It was a cool moment. Definitely my coolest moment so far.'
But that wasn't the only cool moment in store for the 27-year-old.
Kranick hails from Jessup, Pa. — about 135 miles from Citi Field — and was raised a Mets fan. His father, John Kranick Sr., used to attend Opening Day at Shea Stadium annually.
The Mets began this season in Houston, and then visited Miami, before they returned to Queens for Friday's home opener — a 5-0 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.
Advertisement
Kranick got the last six outs of Friday's victory, striking out one and allowing only one hit.
'I was looking forward to that moment, for sure,' Kranick said of pitching at Citi Field, 'so [it was] good to get that one out of the way.'
Kranick has now hurled 5.2 scoreless innings this season, further fueling what's been a feel-good comeback story.
The right-hander made his MLB debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021 as a starting pitcher, but Tommy John surgery largely derailed his 2022 and 2023 seasons.
The Mets claimed him off waivers before the 2024 season, and he pitched to a 3.82 ERA over 70.2 innings spanning three minor-league levels last year.
Advertisement
Kranick's season debut on March 29 marked his first MLB appearance in nearly three years.
'He's a great dude,' Mets reliever Reed Garrett said. 'Good dude to hang out with outside the field, even better guy to have on your team. It's been a lot of fun. He's just attacking guys, going right after them, and he's executing his pitches at a really high rate right now.'
On Tuesday, Kranick pitched the final three innings of a 4-2 loss in Miami, helping to preserve others in the Mets' bullpen.
Kranick, Garrett and A.J. Minter combined to throw 3.2 scoreless innings of relief in Friday's win.
'Kranick continues to do a hell of a job,' manager Carlos Mendoza said after Friday's victory. 'On a day where we needed him to finish that game, he ended up doing that. That goes a long way when you're protecting the bullpen.'
Advertisement
Adding to Friday's Citi Field debut was that Kranick had 11 guests in attendance. Among them was his father, whom he said had not been to an Opening Day in seven to 10 years.
'Closing the game out was an awesome moment,' Kranick said. 'I'll remember this one forever.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Mets' Edwin Diaz open to World Baseball Classic return despite past injury
Mets' Edwin Diaz open to World Baseball Classic return despite past injury

Fox News

timea few seconds ago

  • Fox News

Mets' Edwin Diaz open to World Baseball Classic return despite past injury

New York Mets star closer Edwin Diaz sustained a major injury at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, but that won't stop him from playing in 2026's edition of the international tournament. Diaz, 31, injured himself while celebrating team Puerto Rico's win over the Dominican Republic. He tore his patellar tendon in his right knee and missed the entire season. "I didn't get hurt pitching," Díaz said via the New York Post last week. "That's something that can happen at my house or wherever. If I was pitching, maybe I would be a little bit scared (to return)." Diaz didn't fully commit to playing for Puerto Rico but said he is open to it. "As of now, I would play if I had the chance to play. I would play to represent my country," Diaz said. The three-time All-Star said if he got hurt pitching, he might view playing in the World Baseball Classic differently. "But I just want to go there and represent my country and have fun." Diaz said. Diaz's Mets teammate, star shortstop Francisco Lindor, also played for team Puerto Rico. Diaz said that if he gets the chance to play for Puerto Rico, he would want to play with Lindor again. Diaz has been lights-out for the Mets this season and made the National League All-Star team. In 40 games this season, Diaz had a 1.55 ERA with a 5-0 record and 21 saves. Diaz and the Mets (59-44) start a three-game series with the San Francisco Giants (54-49) on Friday at 10:15 p.m. ET.

Astros place left-hander Brandon Walter on injured list with elbow inflammation
Astros place left-hander Brandon Walter on injured list with elbow inflammation

Yahoo

time28 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Astros place left-hander Brandon Walter on injured list with elbow inflammation

HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros placed left-handed starter Brandon Walter on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to Thursday, with left elbow inflammation. Walter becomes the 18th Houston player currently on the team's IL. In a corresponding move, right-handed reliever Nick Hernandez was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land. Walter is 1-3 with a 3.35 ERA in nine starts for the Astros this season with 52 strikeouts and four walks. He allowed two or fewer runs in seven starts and limited the Diamondbacks to one run over a career-high seven innings on Wednesday. Walter is Houston's eighth starting pitcher on the injured list. Right-handers Hayden Wesneski and Ronel Blanco are out for the season after undergoing Tommy John Surgery. Right-handers Cristian Javier, Spencer Arrighetti, Luis Garcia, and J.P. France have recently started rehab assignments. Right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. was placed in the injured list Saturday due to a blister on a finger of his right hand. ___ AP MLB:

MLB trade deadline: Eugenio Suárez, Mitch Keller, Seth Lugo among prized players who could move
MLB trade deadline: Eugenio Suárez, Mitch Keller, Seth Lugo among prized players who could move

Yahoo

time28 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

MLB trade deadline: Eugenio Suárez, Mitch Keller, Seth Lugo among prized players who could move

PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks got the trade deadline party started on Thursday night when they dealt 2024 All-Star Josh Naylor to the Seattle Mariners for two pitching prospects. That probably won't be the last time the D-backs make news before the July 31 deadline. Arizona has had a disappointing season with a 50-53 record and now appears to be one of the most active sellers on the MLB market, dangling third baseman Eugenio Suárez and starting pitchers Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly. The potential buyers include teams like the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers, who are all trying to beef up their rosters in hopes of a deep playoff run. The market is heating up quickly: The Yankees acquired third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Rockies on Friday while the Mets added left-handed reliever Gregory Soto from the Orioles. The D-backs have been one of the most intriguing teams in baseball over the past few weeks because management has had to make a tough decision whether to buy or sell. Arizona had a 50-50 record after sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals following the All-Star break but were then swept by the Houston Astros. Those three losses appeared to seal their fate as sellers — though Arizona general manager Mike Hazen said he's still open to changing course. 'I want to see this team to continue to go out there and play,' Hazen said. 'I haven't decided what it's going to look like, honestly. I'm open-minded to a number of different things. ... Quite frankly, we're listening to what people have to say and what people have to offer and we're going to do what's best for the long term for this organization.' Naylor's already gone and he'll help a Seattle lineup that could use a little more punch. Suárez is having one of the best seasons of his career, slugging 36 homers over 101 games, and is arguably the best bat on the market. Here's a look at some of the top players who could be available as teams try to upgrade for the stretch run: Eugenio Suárez, 3B, Arizona Diamondbacks Suarez is just an average defensive third baseman these days, but that's not why teams want to acquire him. He's got the kind of bat that can carry a team for weeks at a time, major pop from the right side of the plate. He has 312 career homers, is well-liked in the locker room and has been productive in limited postseason at-bats with a .300 average. Mitch Keller, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates The 29-year-old Keller has been overshadowed in the Pirates' rotation thanks to the emergence of young star Paul Skenes, but the right-hander has been a reliable starter for the past four seasons and was an All-Star in 2023. The one catch is it'll take a sizable haul for the Pirates to make a deal: He's under contract through 2028 as part of a relatively reasonable $77 million, five-year deal. Seth Lugo, SP, Kansas City Royals Lugo has thrived in Kanas City over the past three seasons, moving to the starting rotation from the bullpen and providing consistent results. The 2024 All-Star has a 7-5 record with a 2.95 ERA over 19 starts this year. Zac Gallen, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks Gallen is having the worst full season of his career with a 7-11 record and 5.58 ERA but could still be an attractive add for a team that needs a starter. The 29-year-old right-hander has been one of the top pitchers in the National League over the past five years, finishing in the top 10 of the Cy Young voting in 2020, 2022 and 2023. His stuff is still good and he's had a handful of dominant starts this season. Merrill Kelly, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks The 36-year-old righty has quietly been one of the most consistent pitchers in baseball with a 9-5 record and 3.32 ERA. He was also excellent during the D-backs' postseason run in 2023 with a 3-1 record, 2.25 ERA and 28 strikeouts over 24 innings. Kelly doesn't have an overpowering fastball but has a five-pitch mix that has consistently delivered results. Sandy Alcantara, SP, Miami Marlins The 29-year-old Alcantara isn't the same pitcher he was when he won the 2022 NL Cy Young Award, but the right-hander still has quite a bit of upside. He gave up just one unearned run over seven innings in a win against the Padres on Wednesday, which might help his value. His rotation partner Edward Cabrera — another right-hander — could also garner attention with a 3.48 ERA over 17 starts. Ryan O'Hearn, 1B/DH, Baltimore Orioles The 31-year-old is having a career year with a .281 average, .375 on-base percentage and 14 homers, helping him earn All-Star honors for the first time in his career. His left-handed bat would be useful in a contender's lineup. ___ AP MLB:

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store