Today's NY Back Pages and Mets Headlines: 3/18/2026

Good Morning. Happy Birthday Former Brooklyn Cyclones Pitcher Matt Cleveland.

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

Mets Links: 

3/17/2026 Spring Training Box Score: Mets 5 Marlins 5

Lindor SS;  1 for 4; 1 run; 2 Ks; Bruján SS;  0 for 1; 1 K; Semien 2B;  2 for 3; 2 runs; 1 walk; Hernández, Y PH-2B;  0 for 1; 1 K; Bichette 2B;  2 for 3; 1 run; 5 RBIs; 1 walk; 1 HR; 1 double; De Oleo, B 3B;  0 for 1; 1 K; Polanco 1B;  0 for 4; 1 K; Willhoite PH-1B;  0 for 1; 1 K; Robert Jr. CF; 0 for 4; 1 K; Mosquera CF;  0 for 1; Baty RF;  1 for 4; 1 K; Cuevas, Y RF;  0 for 0; Torrens C ;  1 for 3; 1 K; Rortvedt C;  1 for 1; Tauchman DH;  0 for 4; 3 Ks; Taylor, T LF;  2 for 4; 1 run; 1 K; 1 double; Villavicencio LF;  0 for 0; Manaea;  4 innings; no runs; 4 Ks; Kimbrel (H, 1); 1 innings; 1 runs; 1 ERs; 1 hits; 1 walks; Myers (H, 1); 1.1 innings; 1 runs; 1 ERs; 1 hits; 2 walks; 3 Ks; Brewer (H, 1); 0.2 innings; no runs; 1 walks; Cosper (BS, 2); 1 innings; 3 runs; 3 ERs; 3 hits; 2 Ks; Peek; 1 innings; no runs; 2 Ks; 

Bo Bichette drives in two with a double off of Sandy Alcantara! pic.twitter.com/4mXyq21RCg

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) March 17, 2026

Two more strikeouts in the third for Sean Manaea pic.twitter.com/9WKQEMQnwg

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) March 17, 2026

Four perfect innings for Sean Manaea! pic.twitter.com/WrTs8hsdfm

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) March 17, 2026

Francisco Lindor lines a single the other way pic.twitter.com/tun8q29NdF

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) March 17, 2026

BO'S FIRST HOMER AS A MET 💥

Bo Bichette smacks a three-run shot and has driven in all five Mets runs today! pic.twitter.com/wY6X37BoSw

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) March 17, 2026

Sean Manaea felt "really good" during today's start in which he threw four perfect innings pic.twitter.com/xkZm8aSdar

— SNY (@SNYtv) March 17, 2026

"It's low, but I feel good - I'm not concerned about it whatsoever. We get up to Citi Field, get some adrenaline going, it'll shoot back up."

Sean Manaea on his fastball velocity being under 90 MPH: pic.twitter.com/q44r7lAeW9

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) March 17, 2026

"My body feels good, I wish I could show a little bit more out there velocity-wise but I'm throwing some of my pitches like I want to"

Craig Kimbrel on how he's feeling this spring with the start of the season looming: pic.twitter.com/ZdO9rWUlHt

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) March 17, 2026

Carlos Mendoza is asked if the Mets expect Sean Manaea's velocity to tick up:

"We don't know. I would say yes...but it might take some time." pic.twitter.com/0ANvSJ1yhd

— SNY (@SNYtv) March 17, 2026

On Baseball Night in New York, @John_Jastremski & @JimDuquetteGM discuss Sean Manaea's outing today with low velocity and four perfect innings pic.twitter.com/ovTmGMuhxg

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) March 17, 2026

Nolan McLean strikes out Eugenio Suarez and Gleyber Torres in the second!

(via @WBCBaseball) pic.twitter.com/BsIirOhgtU

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) March 18, 2026

Nolan McLean's fourth strikeout of the evening

(via @WBCBaseball) pic.twitter.com/mawEy57gRG

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) March 18, 2026

Nolan McLean's final line for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic Final pic.twitter.com/uRsW58Zwc9

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) March 18, 2026

• Nolan McLean & Team USA:

  • What a WBC title would mean for Nolan McLean and Team USA — and what a loss could dredge up (NY Post)
  • MLB How Mets’ Nolan McLean pitched for Team USA in WBC final (NY Post)
  • How Nolan McLean Performed in the WBC Championship (SI.com)
  • Who is Nolan McLean? Meet the Mets rookie starting for Team USA in the WBC finale vs. Venezuela (CBS Sports)

   

  Sean Manaea’s Velocity:

  • Mets' Sean Manaea not concerned about drop in velocity, cites need for 'adrenaline' (Newsday)
  • Mets’ Sean Manaea still ‘not concerned’ about lack of velocity (NY Post)
  • Mets’ Sean Manaea, Craig Kimbrel looking for more adrenaline in search for more velocity (Daily News)
  • Sean Manaea’s velocity remains down. How effective can he be if it doesn’t climb back up? (The Athletic)
  • Mets pitcher shows he can still dominate despite concerning trend (NJ.com)

   

  More Mets News:

  • Mets face tough decision on Kimbrel as legend looks to extend career (MLB.com)
  • Benge's bid to make Mets' Opening Day roster coming down to wire (MLB.com)
  • Dante Bichette tells The Post why son Bo is primed to excel with Mets in New York debut (NY Post)
  • Tobias Myers’ roller-coaster past has him ready for whatever role Mets need: ‘You’ve got to commit’ (NY Post)
  • Mets make more roster moves, narrowing down right field competition (NJ.com)
  • Mets’ slumping slugger is batting just .040 this spring: ‘We’re counting on him’ (NJ.com)
  • Mets' Brett Baty Primed for Breakout in 2026 (SI.com)
  • Yankees’ Former Slugger Could Cut Ties With Mets Next Week (Forbes)

MLB and NL East Links:

MLB.com:

Maikel Garcia bursts onto world stage with Classic MVP Award

 

 

 

At long last, Salvy adds World Baseball Classic title to his trophy case

Held to 3 hits in final, USA's star-studded bats unable to break Classic funk 

Untouchable as Venezuela's closer, Palencia shuts the door with straight heat 

No stranger to big moments, Suárez forever a Venezuelan hero 

MVP Garcia headlines 2026 Classic All-Tournament Team

 

USA-Dominican Republic semifinal sets TV viewership record for Classic

AP Sports via the Winnipeg Free Press Dodgers’ Roki Sasaki has another erratic outing as he tries to earn role in starting rotation Tommy Kahnle agrees to minor league contract with Red Sox, AP source says Shohei Ohtani will return to mound for Dodgers in spring training game Wednesday against Giants Cubs’ Seiya Suzuki has a minor knee ligament strain and be will evaluated further, manager says Yankees ace Gerrit Cole is set for 1st spring training game since Tommy John surgery White Sox right-hander Mike Vasil set for Tommy John surgery after leaving spring start 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 MLB Trade Rumors 33 Veterans With Looming Opt-Out Dates Rockies Notes: Rotation, Gordon, Amador White Sox Finalize Season-Opening Rotation Red Sox, Tommy Kahnle Agree To Minor League Deal Joe La Sorsa Has Upward Mobility Clause In Pirates Deal Seiya Suzuki Diagnosed With PCL Sprain Guardians Release Pedro Avila Braves Sign Kyle Nelson To Minor League Deal Offseason In Review: Toronto Blue Jays MLBTR Chat Transcript White Sox’ Mike Vasil To Undergo Tommy John Surgery Yankees Notes: Cole, Rodón, McMahon Poll: Who Will Win The 2026 WBC Final? The Opener: World Baseball Classic, Suzuki, MLBTR Chat A’s Notes: Butler, Jump, De Vries www.espn.com - MLB WBC champs! Takeaways as Venezuela stuns Team USA Venezuela outduels USA to capture first WBC title U.S. laments another WBC loss as star offense lags Cubs' Suzuki has minor knee sprain; IL stint TBD Ohtani set for spring training pitching debut Wed. CBS Sports Headlines Team USA falls to Venezuela for WBC title; Broncos trade for Jaylen Waddle; March Madness underway Venezuela brought the electricity -- and the talent -- to beat Team USA in World Baseball Classic championship Maikel Garcia named World Baseball Classic MVP for helping lead Venezuela to first ever title World Baseball Classic champions: Full list of winners as Venezuela captures 2026 title When is next World Baseball Classic? WBC has four-year break, but MLB stars could play in 2028 Olympics FanGraphs Baseball Houston Astros Top 30 Prospects Effectively Wild Episode 2453: Season Preview Series: Dodgers and Rockies Sometimes It Really Is a Children’s Game Brendan Gawlowski Prospects Chat: 3/17/26 2026 Positional Power Rankings: Second Base

 

Today in Mets History: 

Born on this date:

• Matt Cleveland (1998)

Transactions:

New York Mets traded Jesse Orosco to the St. Louis Cardinals for Joe McEwing on March 18, 2000.

New York Mets released Luis Castillo on March 18, 2011.

Per National Pastime.com:

2000

After reacquiring Jesse Orosco from the Orioles in December, the Mets send the veteran left-hander to the Cardinals for utility player Joe McEwing. In 1978, the eventual four-decade hurler (1979-2003) was the player to be named later in the trade when New York dealt veteran southpaw Jerry Koosman to Minnesota.

2011

The Mets make a symbolic, but expensive, roster move when they release their second baseman, Luis Castillo. The embattled 35 year-old infielder, who will be best remembered by New York fans for the dropped popup in a 2009 Subway Series game at Yankee Stadium and his inability to stay healthy, is still owed the remaining $6 million on the four-year, $25 million contract he signed before the 2008 season.

Two Years ago Carlos Carrasco tore his hamstring: 

Carlos Carrasco has a hamstring tear and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks, but the pitching depth the Mets added in the offseason should help offset the loss.

(@martinonyc) pic.twitter.com/n22h7vM8Nv

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) March 19, 2021

3/18/2011 The Mets release Luis Castillo. Castillo was traded to the Mets in 2007 for two minor leaguers and played 365 games in New York. During this time, he slashed .274/.366/.324. pic.twitter.com/PUBYqbpZiI

— This Day in Mets History (@NYMhistory) March 18, 2022