Morning Briefing: Mets’ Bats Get Off to Rip-Roaring Start
Good morning, Mets fans!
The Mets kicked off the 2026 season with a huge home win on Opening Day, defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates 11-7. Carson Benge had a dream MLB debut and the entire offense was firing on all cylinders making for a fun home opener at Citi Field.
The Mets will have a customary day off on Friday before returning to Citi Field on Saturday for the second game of the series. It will be right-handed pitcher Mitch Keller on the mound for the Pirates against left-handed pitcher David Peterson for the Mets as he makes his first start of 2026.
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The Mets made history on Thursday. As noted by Sarah Langs of MLB.com, with the Mets starting Bo Bichette at third base for the first time in his career and Jorge Polanco at first base for just the second time in his career, the Mets became the second team in the last 100 years to start two non-rookie infielders on Opening Day with one or no prior MLB games at that position. They join the 1948 Brooklyn Dodgers, who started Jackie Robinson at second base and Billy Cox at third base.
Per Ryan Morik of Fox News, New York Mets legend Keith Hernandez says he still gets paid “close to $5,000” per year in “Seinfeld” residuals.
Mike Janela shared one of the newest Citi Field features: The Mets now display the title and artist for every Mets batter’s walk-up song.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Mike Tauchman had surgery on Thursday morning to repair his torn meniscus in his left knee. The surgery went as expected and he will be out another six weeks before being cleared to return to play.
Per Sarah Langs of MLB.com, Carson Benge became the 14th player with a home run and a stolen base in his MLB debut since the modern stole base rule was adopted back in 1898. He is the second Met: Lenny Dykstra on May 3, 1985 and the first MLB player to do so since Weston Wilson on August 9, 2023.
ESPN noted that along with Benge hitting a home run in his MLB debut, Munetaka Murakami of the Chicago White Sox and JJ Wetherholt of the St. Louis Cardinals both hit a home run in their first career MLB games as well. This marked the first season in MLB history that three players, each in his MLB debut, homered on Opening Day.
Mathew Brownstein of Metsmerized mentioned the three youngest players to record at least one walk, one home run and one stolen base on Opening Day. Those included Barry Bonds, who was 24 years, 254 days old (1989); Bryce Harper, who was 23 years, 171 days (2016); and now Carson Benge: 23 years, 65 days (2026).
Jorge Castillo of ESPN reported that the Mets and outfielder Tommy Pham are in agreement on a minor league deal.
Latest MLB News
The Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday announced that they placed outfielder Jackson Chourio on the 10-day injured list with a left hand fracture, retroactive to Wednesday. In return they recalled outfielder Blake Perkins from Triple-A Nashville.
Per Jesse Rogers of ESPN, according to sources, the Chicago Cubs are in agreement with second baseman Nico Hoerner on a six-year deal, pending a physical.
Per MLB, 15-year MLB veteran Carl Crawford shared a moment with his son, Justin, after his Major League Debut.
Latest on MMO
Christian De Block previewed the first series of the Mets/ 2026 season and their home opener against the new-look Pittsburgh Pirates.
Michelle Ioannou and the Metsmerized staff discussed their 2026 Mets hot takes in an MMO roundtable piece.
The Metsmerized podcast released its 2026 season preview.
Michael Simon recapped the New York Mets’ 2026 home opener, including Carson Benge’s home run and the Mets’ offense crushing Paul Skenes.
Alexis Farinacci recapped Carson Benge’s dream MLB debut.
On This Date in Mets History
1987: The Mets traded backup catcher Ed Hearn to the Kansas City Royals along with pitcher Rick Anderson in exchange for pitcher David Cone.
Born on This Date: Clay Holmes (1993), Brandon Nimmo (1993), Johnny Monell (1986), Michael Cuddyer (1979), Bill Sudakis (1946).
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