New York Mets DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

The New York Mets are planning to wait an extra week beyond March 15 (the original target) for right-hander Kodai Senga (shoulder) to begin throwing. "But that doesn't mean he's having any setback," manager Carlos Mendoza said. "We want to make sure that before he picks up a baseball he's strong and we're comfortable." The Mets want to make absolutely sure the 31-year-old is healthy coming off a bout with a moderate posterior capsule strain in his right shoulder this spring. The extra week layoff is going to push Senga's eventual 2024 season debut to sometime in either late April or early May. His injury has set up veteran lefty Jose Quintana to make the team's Opening Day start on March 28 on the road against the Milwaukee Brewers. Senga's injury makes him a more risky No. 3/4 fantasy starter going into the season.

New York Mets left-hander Jose Quintana will officially be the team's Opening Day starter on March 28 against the Milwaukee Brewers on the road. Quintana is getting the nod to kick things off for the Metropolitans in 2024 because right-hander Kodai Senga (shoulder) is being forced to start the year on the injured list due to a right-shoulder injury. The 35-year-old veteran Quintana had a decent 3.57 ERA and 1.31 WHIP with 60 strikeouts and 24 walks in 75 2/3 innings over his 13 starts in New York last year after getting a late start to the year due to a fractured rib. The Colombian southpaw can be a reliable innings-eater in NL-only leagues at the back of your fantasy rotation, but there's very little upside left at this stage of Quintana's career for those in mixed leagues.

The New York Mets are among the teams talking to free-agent designated hitter J.D. Martinez, and the interest is mutual, according to sources. Owner Steve Cohen has apparently given the go-ahead to seriously discuss signing Martinez, even though the team is over the so-called "Steve Cohen tax," and they'd have to pay a 110 percent tax on any new deals. Martinez would solve the team's long-running issue of not having much protection for cleanup hitter Pete Alonso. The Los Angeles Angels remain involved with the veteran slugger, too, and he's said to like the idea of going to Anaheim to join Mike Trout. Martinez is now 36, but he still managed to hit .271 with 30-plus homers in 2023, but he also struck out over 30% of the time with the Dodgers.

New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz (knee) made his first big-league appearance since the postseason of 2022 in Monday's 1-0 Grapefruit League loss to the Marlins. Diaz entered the game in the fifth inning and struck out the side swinging, touching 98 MPH with his fastball. The 29-year-old suffered a season-ending knee injury last March in the World Baseball Classic, so seeing him look so strong back in game action is encouraging for fantasy managers. Diaz is one of fantasy's top closing options when healthy, and this was a good indication that he appears to be so.

The Seattle Mariners have signed free-agent relief pitcher Ryne Stanek on Sunday. The right-hander will receive a one-year $4 million deal. Stanek has bounced around a bit during his career but has been solid wherever he goes. Most notably, Stanek posted a 2.90 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 196/89 K/BB ratio over 173 2/3 innings since 2021 with the Houston Astros. The right-hander had a below-average season in 2023, but he deserves the benefit of the doubt. Stanek should immediately slide into a high-leverage role in Seattle.