Today's NY Back Pages and Mets Headlines: 3/17/26

 

Good Morning and Happy St. Patrick’s Day.  Happy Birthday Juan Lagares and Vance Wilson. 

Section Links: Mets Links, MLB Links, and This Day in Mets History 

Mets Links: 

3/16/2026 Spring Training Box Score: Nationals 12 Mets 6

Nolan McLean Starting WBC Final for USA:

• David Lennon: Mets' Nolan McLean eager to perform his patriotic duty for Team USA in WBC championship game (Newsday)
• Mets’ Carlos Mendoza has ‘mixed feelings’ about Nolan McLean’s start for USA in WBC final (NYP)
• Nolan McLean has the burning desire — and everything else — for this WBC moment (NYP)
• Mets rookie Nolan McLean ahead of WBC final start: ‘You’re crazy if you don’t want to do this’ (NYP)
• Team USA turns to Mets’ Nolan McLean to start World Baseball Classic final: ‘He’s built for this’ (NYDN)
• Mets' Nolan McLean draws biggest start of career for USA in WBC final (The Record)
• Why Team USA has a rookie pitcher starting with a WBC title on the line (The Athletic)
• Aaron Judge pumps up USA at WBC, Nolan McLean tries to 'finish this thing' (USA Today)

 

Mets’ Opening Day Bullpen:

• Fresh off Classic dominance, Brazobán secures spot in Mets' bullpen (MLB)
• Mets’ bullpen battle down to one remaining spot (NYP)
• Mets reveal roster decision while another ‘difficult’ choice looms (NJ.com)
• Mets’ last bullpen spot up for grabs, a new fascination with the cutter and other notes (The Athletic)

 

Juan Soto, Dominican Republic in WBC Semifinal:

• Mets pitcher sounds off on WBC controversy: ‘Absolutely NOT’ (NJ.com)
• Juan Soto says the Dominican Republic is still the 'best team in baseball' despite WBC loss vs. Team USA (CBS Sports)
• Juan Soto Boldly Claims Dominican Republic Is Best Team in World After Loss to USA (SI)
• Mets Superstar Juan Soto Takes Dig At Team USA Win After Controversial WBC Call (Forbes)

 

Mark Vientos News:

• Mark Vientos’ rough spring continues as Carlos Mendoza sends message of support (NYP)
• What Mets are telling Mark Vientos, who is hitting .040 this spring (NJ.com)
• Mets Skipper Sends 5-Word Mark Vientos Message As Concerns Mount (Forbes)

 

Other Mets News:

• Bore of Tommy John rehab behind him, Scott ready to impact Mets (MLB)
• Benge on roster? Senga in rotation? And more key questions for Mets (MLB) 
• Carson Benge seeks to help Mets 'win any way I can' as he battles for Opening Day spot (Newsday)
• Mets offer fans new ways to Citi Field amid construction in surrounding area (Newsday)
• How the Yankees and Mets joined in investing in fresh chances for upside pitchers (NYP)
• Mets’ Cristian Pache developed his stellar fielding under guidance from Andruw Jones (NYP)
• Displaced in offseason, Mets’ newest experiment tackles challenge: ‘Go win a job’ (NJ.com)
• Mets' Brett Baty Primed for Breakout in 2026 (SI)

New York Post

• What a WBC title would mean for Nolan McLean and Team USA — and what a loss could dredge up
• How the Yankees and Mets joined in investing in fresh chances for upside pitchers
• Mets’ Carlos Mendoza has ‘mixed feelings’ about Nolan McLean’s start for USA in WBC final
• Mark Vientos’ rough spring continues as Carlos Mendoza sends message of support
• Mets’ Cristian Pache developed his stellar fielding under guidance from Andruw Jones
• Mets’ bullpen battle down to one remaining spot
• Nolan McLean has the burning desire — and everything else — for this WBC moment
• Mets rookie Nolan McLean ahead of WBC final start: ‘You’re crazy if you don’t want to do this’
• The important reality that surrounds Mets’ $5 million teenage prospect Elian Pena

SNY.tv | Latest News

• Carlos Mendoza continues to express confidence in Mets' Mark Vientos amid rough spring
• Mets’ Francisco Alvarez in a ‘really good position’ after another strong night at the plate
• Carson Benge, Francisco Alvarez, Ronny Mauricio spearhead Mets' offense in loss to Nationals
• Mets Notes: What Carson Benge has left to show, ‘mixed feelings’ over Nolan McLean’s WBC Finals opportunity
• Huascar Brazoban to make Mets’ Opening Day bullpen, leaving one spot left
• Mark DeRosa on starting Mets' Nolan McLean in World Baseball Classic Final: 'He's built for this'

Newsday

• Venezuela rallies past Italy to face U.S. in WBC championship game

Metsmerized Online

• Mets Fall 12–6 After Nats’ Six-Run Ninth
• Spring Training Game Chat: Nationals vs Mets, 6:10
• MLB Unveils Rule Changes for Minors
• Lindor Returns to Action, Optimistic About Opening Day
• Marcus Semien Coming Alive at the Plate

Amazin' Avenue

• Grapefruit Juice: Nationals 12, Mets 6
• Open thread: WBC Semi-final, Venezuela at Italy, 3/16/26
• Huascar Brazobán earns spot in Mets’ bullpen
• New position, same challenge awaits Brett Baty in 2026

Rising Apple Feed

• NY Mets Opening Day lineup decision that’ll say more than it accomplishes
• Who NY Mets fans should root for Nolan McLean to face in the WBC Championship
• NY Mets Opening Day roster announcement is the right call

David Peterson makes the off-balance throw to get the out! pic.twitter.com/kRnmEww7Ik

— SNY (@SNYtv) March 16, 2026

Francisco Alvarez with the double to drive in Carson Benge! pic.twitter.com/h6ufDMGp06

— SNY (@SNYtv) March 16, 2026

Ronny Mauricio with a double of his own! pic.twitter.com/qjX8ju7TGq

— SNY (@SNYtv) March 16, 2026

Cristian Pache hits his second home run of the spring! pic.twitter.com/kEyEYBVq7V

— SNY (@SNYtv) March 16, 2026

Ronny Mauricio gets his second hit and RBI of the day pic.twitter.com/UMxbuxdVWB

— SNY (@SNYtv) March 16, 2026

Carson Benge with his second hit of the night! pic.twitter.com/b1T7V2w8As

— SNY (@SNYtv) March 17, 2026

Game-tying home run for Christian Arroyo! pic.twitter.com/nIahrbwjQE

— SNY (@SNYtv) March 17, 2026

"I can't wait to watch him pitch tomorrow for our country"

David Peterson says he's wishing Nolan McLean "good luck" in his start for team USA in the WBC final tomorrow pic.twitter.com/HWquOoLur4

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) March 16, 2026

"I like where he's at offensively... and we got to keep it that way"

Carlos Mendoza speaks about Francisco Alvarez's offensive performance so far during spring training pic.twitter.com/iNlvCgub8d

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) March 17, 2026

"I'm pretty confident that we're going to get a really good version from Mark Vientos"

Carlos Mendoza says that he is confident that Vientos will be a "big player" for the Mets this season pic.twitter.com/INHWYxadYy

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) March 17, 2026

Carlos Mendoza talks about Huascar Brazobán's performance in the WBC for Team Dominican Republic and says he'll have a spot in the Mets bullpen as long as he stays healthy

"It was good to see him throw the ball the way he did. It was not surprising" pic.twitter.com/kSYLhxwqGw

— SNY (@SNYtv) March 16, 2026

"Mixed feelings, I'm not gonna lie. It's awesome, it's a great opportunity. The fact that he's going to have that experience is something unbelievable. We'll be praying"

- Carlos Mendoza on Nolan McLean pitching the WBC Final pic.twitter.com/vONtoFMTdN

— SNY (@SNYtv) March 16, 2026

"It's a special group of human beings"

Nolan McLean meets with @mmargaux8 ahead of his huge start tomorrow for Team USA in the WBC Final to talk about his emotions heading into the game and his experience with the team pic.twitter.com/Ckedo2sx6s

— SNY (@SNYtv) March 16, 2026

"Obviously I got clipped there a couple times with the homer, but overall, felt really good.

As a competitor...if you work your whole life at something, you want to be put in these spots.

It's a dream come true to be able to get the ball in such a big moment. It's something I… pic.twitter.com/liyOA60vzw

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) March 16, 2026

Nolan McLean expects to throw 65-70 pitches in his start tomorrow for Team USA pic.twitter.com/ilSwgvFUQc

— SNY (@SNYtv) March 16, 2026

On @Honda SportsNite, @emacSNY, @John_Jastremski & @keithirizarry discuss why Carson Benge has earned his way onto the Opening Day roster for the Mets pic.twitter.com/EqWquCbBw1

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) March 17, 2026

"There's no doubt in my mind he'll be there on Opening Day, starting."

On BNNY, @KeithRaad discusses Francisco Lindor's spring training debut: pic.twitter.com/Gt2qza3WC7

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) March 16, 2026

MLB and NL East Links:

TICKET PUNCHED 🎟️

TEAM VENEZUELA IS HEADING TO THE #WORLDBASEBALLCLASSIC FINAL FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER! pic.twitter.com/Ulmy4XqqVK

— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 17, 2026

Welcome in, @ronaldacunajr24! 👋

The @Braves star shares his excitement after a come-from-behind win in the #WorldBaseballClassic semifinals!

MLB Tonight + @CapitalOne https://t.co/DMYhiqA24X pic.twitter.com/b5jSuAmSNM

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) March 17, 2026

AP Sports via the Winnipeg Free Press

• Guardians say 3B José Ramírez feeling better and sore shoulder ‘should be just fine in a few days’
• Seiya Suzuki back at spring training with Cubs after injuring knee in World Baseball Classic
• Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas suspended 80 games by MLB for failed drug test
• A heat wave with triple-digit temps is altering the MLB Cactus League schedule
• Springer homers as Blue Jays beat Marlins 5-4 in Grapefruit League
• Musgrove likely to open on injured list for Padres after missing last year because of elbow surgery
• World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start the season opener for the Dodgers at home
• MLB Free Agency: 2-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal could set more contract records next offseason
• U.S. beats Dominican Republic 2-1 to reach 3rd straight WBC title game
• Guardians 3B José Ramírez leaves game with sore shoulder, to be evaluated Monday

MLB Trade Rumors

• A’s Notes: Butler, Jump, De Vries
• MLB To Test Check-Swing Rule In Triple-A
• Latest On Angels’ Second Base Competition
• Offseason In Review: Philadelphia Phillies
• Poll: How Will The Orioles Rotation Shake Out?
• Mike Tauchman Has March 25 Opt-Out In Mets Deal
• MLB Announces 80-Game Suspension For Johan Rojas
• Travis Bazzana Will Not Make Guardians’ Opening Day Roster
• Jose Ramirez Day-To-Day With Shoulder Inflammation
• White Sox Place Alexander Alberto On Waivers
• Offseason In Review: St. Louis Cardinals
• Trade Rumors Front Office Subscriber Chat Transcript
• Joe Musgrove Likely To Open Season On Injured List
• Diamondbacks Sign Luis Urías To Minor League Deal
• Cardinals Notes: Velázquez, Church, Gorman

www.espn.com - MLB

• USA or Venezuela? Predictions, keys to the game for the WBC final
• 'We needed this': Amid turmoil back home, Team Venezuela savors WBC moment
• Venezuela rallies past Italy to make first WBC final
• Padres say Miller's availability for WBC final TBD
• Phils' Rojas suspended 80 games for PED violation

CBS Sports Headlines

• 2026 World Baseball Classic bracket, schedule: Venezuela advances to face Team USA in title game
• Venezuela storms back to beat Italy, sets up electric World Baseball Classic finale vs. Team USA
• Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas suspended for 80 games after failing PED test
• Snyder's Soapbox: Not even Juan Soto gets to declare victory after a loss
• Italy vs. Venezuela in the WBC semifinals: Odds, prediction, what to know with date against Team USA waiting

FanGraphs Baseball

• 2026 Positional Power Rankings: Catcher
• More Stats: ABS Strike Zone, Arm Angles, Spin Rate
• 2026 Positional Power Rankings: Introduction
• Exclusive: MLB To Implement Experimental Minor League Rule Changes for 2026
• The Context of the Texas Ranger Statue at Globe Life Field

Today in Mets History: 

Born on this date:

• Vance Wilson (1973)
• Juan Lagares (1989)\
• Cameron Foster (1999)
• Christopher Vasquez (2021)

Transactions:
New York Mets signed free agent Jerry Martin of the Kansas City Royals on March 17, 1984.

New York Mets traded Pete Walker and Luis Arroyo to the San Diego Padres for Roberto Petagine and Scott Adair on March 17, 1996.

New York Mets signed free agent Timo Perez on March 17, 2000.

New York Mets released Joe McEwing on March 17, 2005.

Cleveland Indians claimed Anderson Hernandez of the New York Mets on waivers on March 17, 2010.

New York Mets signed free agent Travis Jankowski of the Philadelphia Phillies on March 17, 2022.

3/17/2009 With Team USA down by a run in the ninth inning, David Wright hits a walk-off two-run single. The victory sends USA to the semifinals and eliminates Puerto Rico from the WBC. pic.twitter.com/SIxezh1KFP

— This Day in Mets History (@NYMhistory) March 17, 2022

Thanks for posting. A great collection of videos to clearly show what a great defense he gave the Mets. #Mets #LGM @Mets #MetsTwitter https://t.co/JdNHZn2YEg

— John From Albany (@JohnFromAlbany) March 18, 2022