Makeup in July, to be safe
THE METS’ series opener against the Phillies Monday at Citi Field was postponed because of the snow storm that hit the New York area.
The game has been rescheduled as part of a single-admission doubleheader at 4:10 p.m. Monday, July 9. That makeup contest will start a four-game series against Philadelphia, the Mets’ secondto-last set before the All-Star break.
The Yankees’ home opener against Tampa Bay was also postponed as a storm dropped several inches on the city early Monday. The field and seats in Flushing were completely covered.
Matt Harvey was slated to make his first start of the season Monday after voicing excitement over his improved health in the lead-up to Opening Day. The Mets announced that Harvey will now start tonight against the Phillies.
Seth Lugo was scheduled to start tonight, but he will now be skipped over in the rotation. Noah Syndergaard, who allowed four earned runs in six innings while striking out 10 on Opening Day, will start Wednesday on five-days rest.
Jacob deGrom will then start the series opener at the Nationals 1:05 p.m. Thursday on normal rest. DeGrom surrendered one earned run and four hits while striking out seven over 5.2 innings in Saturday's 6-2 victory over the Cardinals. He has a 1.98 career ERA during day games.
Outfielder Michael Conforto, who started this season on the disabled list while he finishes rehabbing from September shoulder surgery that fixed a torn posterior capsule in his left shoulder, took live at-bats in a simulated game Monday against lefthander Jason Vargas. Vargas threw his sim game indoors because of the conditions.
“Everything felt good,” Conforto said in a video posted to the Mets’ Twitter account. “Vargas, he’s got some movement on his pitches, so it was good to see a good lefty. It was in the cage, so it was a little different than being out on the field. But it was good to see a good lefty and swing the bat a little.”
Vargas also started the season on the DL after a line drive connected with his non-pitching hand during a minorleague spring training game, resulting in a fractured hamate bone.
Conforto is eligible to come off the disabled list Thursday. And manager Mickey Callaway said Sunday after the Mets dropped their series finale to the Cardinals that it’s “possible” the 25-yearold outfielder could return to the lineup Thursday. Conforto flew to New York from Port St. Lucie on Sunday.
l Reliever Hansel Robles was reportedly in New York Monday, prompting speculation he could be activated if Anthony Swarzak (oblique) is placed on the DL.