It’s Monday, and time to start the week with some of the latest MLB news and notes, including a new and notable addition to the New York Mets front office plus tidbits regarding Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers pitching.
MLB news: Carlos Beltran reportedly moving to New York Mets front office
According to The New York Post, Beltran will be joining the Mets front office and working under general manager Billy Eppler. It’s a return to the Mets, who played seven seasons in Queens and was briefly hired as the team’s manager before mutually parting ways with the team over his role in the sign-stealing scandal as a member of the Houston Astros during the 2017 season.
Now Beltran is reportedly back with the Mets, and the move comes after Beltran received 46.5 percent of votes in his first year on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot. Beltran moved into a role with YES Network before last season, helping to reshape his image after the quick departure from his job as Mets manager. Now it appears Beltran’s move to the front office will not only be a chance for his former team to gain from his experience, but also for him to continue to show he should be known for more than just what happened in Houston.
Philadelphia Phillies news: History in the making?
In his latest column, USA Today‘s Bob Nightengale mentions that Philadelphia’s Andrew Painter could make history this season should he make the Opening Day roster. Ranked as the sixth-highest prospect by MLB.com, Painter would be 19 on Opening Day (turning 20 on April 10) and could become the third person under 20 to ever be in an Opening Day rotation. If it were to happen, Painter would take his place alongside Felix Hernandez (Seattle Mariners, 2006) and Julio Urias (Los Angeles Dodgers, 2016).
Milwaukee Brewers: Corbin Burnes bypasses Team USA
Speaking of pitchers, Nightengale reports that Burnes will not take part in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Reportedly recruited to be a part of Team USA, the 2021 National League Cy Young Award winner is quoted in Nightengale’s column as saying, “Right now, I’m prioritizing the season and I’m making sure I’m ready to go on opening day for another fully healthy season.”
Burnes tied for the MLB lead last season by making 33 starts while pacing the NL with 243 strikeouts.