Sunday Morning Readings

Marc Carig –

Shaun Marcum described the sensation as "the numbness, the tingling and cold hand."And as he pitches deeper into his starts, the feeling in his right hand becomes more and more difficult to shake. Which is why in the sixth inning of the Mets' 7-6 loss to the Brewers Saturday night, manager Terry Collins sensed trouble when he noticed a curveball slip out of Marcum's hand. LINK

 

Adam Rubin –

Matt Harvey has been selected for the NL All-Star team in his first full season in the majors. The only lingering issue: Will he be confirmed as the game's starter? Harvey and David Wright will represent the Mets in the July 16 game in Queens. "It hasn't quite hit home yet," Harvey said Saturday night. "It's definitely a huge honor. I couldn't be more excited it's in New York. I'm glad I'm playing over there with David." As for the importance of starting the game, Harvey added: "That's one thing I can't decide. There are two more [first-half] starts left, and I have to go out there obviously and put up zeroes and do everything I can here to help the Mets." LINK

 

Kristie Ackert –

Making his major-league debut? Eh, just another start. Returning to the big-league club as a regular member of the Mets rotation? Just doing his job. Not much gets rookie righthander Zack Wheeler to admit he is excited. Except maybe his next scheduled start, which is slated for Wednesday against the Giants, the team that traded him to the Mets for Carlos Beltran in 2011. “I mean, it’s not going to pump me up any more or anything like that,” Wheeler said. “But, yeah, it’s in the back of my head.” Wheeler has had his ups and downs so far in the majors. He picked up his first win in Atlanta, striking out seven in six scoreless innings, but since that June 18 debut, Wheeler has a 6.00 ERA with nine strikeouts and eight walks in 15 innings pitched over three starts. http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/mets-insider-wheeler-fired-giant-start-article-1.1392107#ixzz2YLfxJpwU

 

John Coppinger –

This was a serious douche move by Marcum to put on Collins. I understand Marcum had a good season with Buck in 2010. And while it seems a little strange that a guy with an ERA over five would require a personal catcher as if he was Greg Maddux, hey ... a manager's job is to put his players in the best position to win. And if Marcum works better with Buck, bless him. Give him all the Buck he wants. But to go crying after the day's lineup was already released and force Terry into changing the lineup, and then explaining publicly that it was because a pitcher with an ERA of five needs his favorite catcher in there, puts Terry in a really bad position. And this is on Collins too. With the way Collins has been acquiescing to everybody this season, was there any doubt that Marcum would get away with it? Collins couldn't just say to Marcum "look, I feel Buck needs a day off so suck it up this one time and I'll take care of you the rest of the way"? http://www.metstradamusblog.com/2013-articles/july/catching-flak-personally.html

 

Steve Serby –

                                Q: What is it like watching Matt Harvey?

A: We played together in Buffalo last year, we both started the year in Triple-A together, and to see where he was then, to where he is now, is not even the same person. If you would have told me last year at the beginning of the year that he would be doing what he is now, I would have told you no way. Not that he didn’t have it in him, but I didn’t see it on the field in Buffalo, as far as that killer instinct, the stuff. ... The stuff was there, but not what it is right now, as far as velocity, location, the delivery being repeated, the ability to throw strikes with all of his pitches — his changeup was nonexistent at the beginning of the year last year. http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/mets/serby_sunday_with_jeremy_hefner_ZUtsDbPiNdpNenOcNnyfTL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Mets

 

Mike Puma –

Ruben Tejada is officially demoted to the minors. The Mets announced during last night’s 7-6 loss to the Brewers that Tejada has completed his rehab assignment and been optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas. The shortstop was placed on the disabled list on May 30 with strained right quadriceps and began playing rehab games in the minors last weekend. But manager Terry Collins said Tejada would have to earn his way back to the Mets. At the time of his injury, Tejada was batting .209 and had been told he was close to receiving a demotion to Las Vegas. http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/mets/it_official_tejada_gets_triple_demotion_VCzVWCGV35ttRKKNFJDZYM?utm_medium=twitter&utm_content=Mets&utm_source=dlvr.it