Latest news with #TravisJankowski
New York Times
12 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
How bad can it get for Mets? Everything goes wrong in sweep in Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH — It can't get worse than this, right? Unfortunately, the New York Mets found themselves facing that question after each game this weekend against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the worst-scoring team in the National League and a group that was on pace to lose 100 games. With poor pitching, suspect defense and a failure to score more than one run, the Mets' 9-1 loss on Friday night looked like the season's worst. Advertisement Nope. Saturday night's 9-2 loss, which featured Carlos Mendoza's first ejection as Mets manager and led to a players' meeting, overtook the completely-unofficial-yet-nonetheless-dubious distinction. Just not for long. Because then Sunday's 12-1 loss happened. From the beginning of that contest to the end, things looked bad for the Mets. By the end of the first inning, the Mets trailed 5-0. In the bottom of the eighth inning, journeyman outfielder Travis Jankowski took the mound and flung balls at 40 mph — doing so during his latest Mets stint, which is six days old, before ever appearing in the batter's box. From there, the Mets went down in the ninth inning on just 10 pitches. In the three-game series sweep, Pittsburgh outscored New York, 30-4. The Mets, a club that owned baseball's best record just a few weeks ago, have lost 13 of their last 16 games. 'We are all frustrated,' Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. 'We're better than that, and they know that. It's a tough stretch. We've got to be better, and it starts with me.' The Mets' leadership group doesn't claim to know when the best time to call a meeting is. Saturday's discussion was for anyone who felt there was something to say and to ensure that they had one another's backs. Players said the gist of the conversation was less about pointing out problems and more about reinforcing cohesion. 'Sometimes it is just good to sit down as a team and talk through things,' pitcher David Peterson said, 'whether something came up or whether it's a reminder of, 'Hey, this is somehing we knew was coming and we have the record that we have for a reason and we're a good baseball team.'' Players deemed the session worthwhile. Several veterans, including Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, Juan Soto, Jeff McNeil, Ryne Stanek, Reed Garrett and Peterson offered messages to the group. In a clubhouse that was missing other key voices such as Sean Manaea and Jesse Winker (both are rehabbing injuries), a few players pointed out how encouraged they were about an environment in which so many people felt comfortable speaking up. Advertisement 'We have a lot of leaders in this room,' Soto said. 'Guys who have experience on big teams, guys who have been here their whole career and a lot of young, core talent. We have great leadership here and a great way to handle the team going through things.' The meeting failed to translate into a win. Nimmo had cautioned against hoping for a quick fix, saying Saturday after the get-together that things weren't going to be different overnight. Indeed, they weren't. If the Mets proved anything over the weekend, it's that a meeting alone was never going to solve their problems. Their culture can be fine at the same time that their roster contains flaws. When assessing their starting rotation's early-season success, Mets officials figured that there would be some regression. Though not ideal, the Mets could've managed such an expected drop in production if it were a modest dip while other segments of their roster performed well. What they didn't quite anticipate was a complete nosedive. But that's just what has happened. The Mets have gone 12 straight games without a starting pitcher recording an out in the sixth inning. They are missing four starters because of injuries. Sean Manaea is throwing again after dealing with loose bodies in his left elbow, but it's unclear precisely when he will make his next rehab start. Kodai Senga (hamstring) is playing catch. Tylor Megill (elbow) has yet to resume throwing, though that could change next week. And Griffin Canning (Achilles) is out for the season. The Mets plan on using Blade Tidwell as a starter against the Milwaukee Brewers this upcoming week, with Peterson, Clay Holmes, Paul Blackburn and Frankie Montas comprising the rest of their rotation. Holmes is in his first year as a starter and needs to prove that he can withstand the increase in volume. Blackburn is a depth starter. Peterson is in a slump, battling his mechanics. Then there's Montas, who simply didn't have it on Sunday. Advertisement Montas and Mets officials say that the veteran is not only healthy but in an encouraging place concerning his arm. His second start after returning from the injured list looked completely different than the first one, when he pitched five scoreless innings. On Sunday, the velocity on his four-seam fastball was down 1 mph. From the jump, he failed to put batters away, needing nine pitchers to retire Adam Frazier, the Pirates' leadoff batter. From there, he repeatedly missed locations, which led to a walk, four hits, two home runs and five runs — all in the first inning. 'I wanted to go out there and go as long as I can, (but) that wasn't the case today,' said Montas, who allowed six runs and lasted just four innings. In one of Mark Vientos' better at-bats over the weekend, he saw 10 pitches, laying off tough ones just outside the zone and fouling off a few others. Still, he struck out. Pirates starter Mike Burrows fooled Vientos with a slow curveball, the only one during the plate appearance. In his return from the injured list, Vientos went 1-for-13 with five strikeouts over the weekend. Though he had a few hard-hit balls, his only hit was an infield single. Vientos' OPS dropped to .645. During the series, he batted sixth, second and sixth; he's an important part of the lineup. The Mets entered the season needing Vientos and Francisco Alvarez to perform for the lineup to play up to its potential. Alvarez struggled so much that the Mets demoted him to Triple A. Meanwhile, Vientos has struggled to get going, dating back to the first two months of the season (not just this series). The young players aren't alone, though. Lindor, for instance, went 1-for-12 during the series. Before the Mets' brutal 16-game stretch, Lindor, who is playing with a broken toe, owned a .829 OPS. Now, that figure sits at .782. Even with Juan Soto producing one of the best calendar months in franchise history, the Mets' lineup is not long enough for one of their stars to slump. 'The coaches have done a really good job of preparing us, they're giving us everything that we can ask for,' Lindor said. 'It's on us.' (Top photo of Francisco Lindor: Charles LeClaire / Imagn Images)
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mets demote second former top prospect in two days
For the second straight day, the New York Mets have demoted a former top prospect to the minor leagues. The Mets optioned infielder Luisangel Acuna to Triple-A Syracuse on Monday. The younger brother of Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. has started just five times over the last month due to offensive struggles, collecting only 18 at-bats in June. Advertisement Luisangel Acuna was slashing .308/.357/.385 through April with five doubles, but his numbers dropped dramatically in May when he hit .204/.254/.222. June brought more struggles at .167/.211/.167. Overall this season, Acuna carries a .241/.293/.283 line with no home runs and a poor 68 OPS+ — meaning he was 32% worse than the league average hitter. The Mets called up veteran outfielder Travis Jankowski to fill his roster spot. Acuna joins catcher Francisco Alvarez in Syracuse after Alvarez was sent down Sunday before the Mets' series finale against the Philadelphia Phillies. Alvarez has struggled at the plate all season, hitting .236/.319/.333 with just three home runs and 38 strikeouts in 35 games. He fractured the hamate bone in his left hand during spring training and didn't make his season debut until April 25. Advertisement Just two seasons ago, Alvarez hit 25 home runs. The Mets hope to get both players back on track offensively as they are part of the young core the team will need to rely on later this season and potentially in the playoffs. Related Headlines
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
New Mets Player Breaks Silence After Joining the Team
New Mets Player Breaks Silence After Joining the Team originally appeared on Athlon Sports. As the New York Mets navigate what has been a season-worst stretch of play, pressure continues to mount on manager Carlos Mendoza and president of baseball operations David Stearns to find answers. Their latest move: a familiar face returns. Veteran outfielder Travis Jankowski has been called up for a second stint with the club, offering a potential spark of stability and speed. Advertisement Jankowski, 34, last appeared for the Mets in 2022, logging 43 games before a broken hand sidelined him. Though his slash line that season (.167/.286/.167) was underwhelming, his value transcends offense. Across 1,552 career at-bats, Jankowski owns a .236 average with 11 home runs, 98 RBIs, and 104 stolen bases—a testament to his disruptive speed and intelligent base running. With defensive lapses and poor situational base running plaguing the Mets throughout their current slide, Jankowski's recall signals a need for experience and versatility. His skillset is tailor-made for late-inning leverage—pinch running, outfield coverage, and instinctive reads on the basepaths. Unlike Luisangel Acuña, who was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse to secure consistent playing time, Jankowski can slot into any role without sacrificing long-term development goals. 'I've played every day, I've come off the bench, pinch hit, pinch ran, defensive replacement—everything but pitch,' Jankowski told SNY. 'And if [Carlos Mendoza] asks me to pitch, I'll go out there and eat an inning up.' That adaptability is central to Jankowski's appeal. Back in 2022, he humbly remarked, 'No one's going to be buying my jersey.' Advertisement But as reported by the New York Post's Greg Joyce, Mets teammates wore white Jankowski shirts throughout the clubhouse following a tough loss to Seattle—proof that effort and selflessness don't go unnoticed. 'To the fans, thanks for everything,' Jankowski added. 'I'm not sure why you guys love me, but I'll take it.' Jankowski's return isn't about reviving a career—it's about reinforcing a roster. With the Mets fighting to reverse course, his defensive reliability, veteran presence, and unshakable team-first mindset offer more than just coverage—they offer clarity in a moment of chaos. Related: Mets Announce Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto News After Loss to Phillies Related: Mets Sign Ex-Yankees Player After Loss to Phillies This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mets option early-season standout to Triple-A
The New York Mets, reeling from eight losses in their last nine games, finally decided it was time to shake the tree. On Monday afternoon, the team made a series of roster moves aimed at balancing immediate needs with long-term development. Some names arrived, others departed, but one in particular stood out. Advertisement The headline move was the Mets signing left-handed reliever Richard Lovelady to a major league deal. That wasn't the only change, but it was certainly one of the more intriguing. Lovelady was officially activated Monday and adds another lefty option for manager Carlos Mendoza, whose bullpen has lacked consistency as of late. Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images To make room for Lovelady on the 40-man roster, the Mets transferred outfielder Jose Siri to the 60-day injured list. Siri's wrist injury has lingered longer than expected, and this move gives clarity on his timeline. Meanwhile, Travis Jankowski, signed recently for his speed and defensive value, has joined the major league squad again. He could serve as a reserve outfielder, especially with Siri sidelined. Advertisement But the most significant shift — and perhaps the most emotional one for Mets fans — came with Luisangel Acuña's demotion. Luisangel Acuña Heads to Syracuse for Reset Acuña, the younger brother of Braves superstar Ronald Acuña Jr., began his MLB journey with promise and electricity. He burst onto the scene and was even crowned the National League Rookie of the Month for March and April. At that point, his sky seemed limitless. But reality hit fast. Pitchers adjusted, and Acuña struggled to respond. The league, as it often does, exposed his flaws at the plate. In 158 plate appearances, Acuña slashed just .241/.293/.283 with a troubling 67 wRC+, no home runs, and 11 stolen bases. Advertisement Despite elite speed and strong defense, his offensive profile simply wasn't holding up in the big leagues. The contact was light, the patience inconsistent, and the confidence faded. The Mets hope this trip to Triple-A Syracuse will be more of a reboot than a setback. There, Acuña can play every day, recalibrate, and hopefully rediscover the swing that made him a top prospect. Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Mets Still Believe in Acuña's Long-Term Value Despite the demotion, Acuña remains a central figure in the Mets' future plans. They aren't giving up on him — far from it. The front office and coaching staff recognize his potential. He's just 22, and his athleticism remains elite. Advertisement What he needs now is reps — not sporadic at-bats against top-tier arms. Sending him down isn't a punishment. It's an investment. Just like a struggling young artist needing time out of the spotlight to refine their craft, Acuña will now get the space he needs to develop. He has nothing left to prove on the basepaths or with the glove. But if the bat doesn't catch up, it's hard to carve out a permanent role. Lovelady Provides Needed Depth in a Thin Bullpen As for Richard Lovelady (who decided to go by his nickname 'Dicky'), the move could fly under the radar but quietly improve the Mets' pitching outlook. Advertisement Lovelady, 29, has bounced around a bit but offers solid command and deceptive left-handed stuff. If he can recapture the form he showed with the Royals early in his career, he could eat meaningful innings. The Mets' bullpen has been a carousel lately, especially with injuries and underperformance. Lovelady isn't a savior, but he could be the duct tape that holds things together during a stretch of uncertainty. Adding arms like his — with major league experience and minimal risk — is the kind of subtle move that can matter in August and September. Zuber Also Sent Down, Jankowski Returns Right-hander Tyler Zuber was optioned to Triple-A alongside Acuña, a move that didn't surprise many observers. Zuber struggled in a recent outing. Advertisement Travis Jankowski, back on the major league roster, offers a very different skill set. He won't light up the stat sheet, but his veteran savvy, speed, and glove give the Mets options late in games. With the injury setback suffered by Jose Siri creating a hole in the outfield, Jankowski's return makes functional sense. He's the kind of glue guy who often gets overlooked — until he's not there. READ MORE: Mets reportedly sign left-handed pitcher to major league deal Related Headlines
Washington Post
7 days ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
Mets send rookie infielder Luisangel Acuña to minors in roster shuffle
NEW YORK — Rookie infielder Luisangel Acuña was sent to the minors by the slumping New York Mets amid several roster moves Monday. New York also signed left-handed reliever Richard Lovelady to a one-year deal and selected the contract of outfielder Travis Jankowski from Triple-A Syracuse. Both were available for the opener of a four-game series against Atlanta.
