KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The New York Mets arrived in the Big Apple late Tuesday after a season-opening split in Kansas City. Now they will have to wait two more days for their home opener.
After enjoying a full day off, the Mets will receive their National League championship rings in a private ceremony and work out at Citi Field on Thursday. They finally entertain the Philadelphia Phillies at 1:10 p.m. ET on Friday.
Rusty Staub, John Franco and Edgardo Alfonzo will help raise the NL championship banner during a pregame ceremony. Members of the cast of Broadway's "Hamilton" will sing the national anthem, followed by an NYPD helicopter flyover.
"It will be nice to get home, get settled into everybody's places to live, go to a workout on Thursday and then get ready to play and take care of business at home," David Wright said. "That's what we did such a nice job of last year. We played well at home (49-32). We played well in the division (47-29). That's both this weekend."
Said Neil Walker before departing Kansas City: "I think we're all looking forward to getting settled in. We've gone from Florida to Vegas to here, with lots of off-days in between. As baseball players, you're kind of excited about getting into a routine and the continuity of the baseball season. These next two days leading into Friday for us are going to feel like an eternity. But we're going to be ready to go. Citi Field is going to be rocking on Friday, and we're excited for it."
Unless the birth of his first child causes him to take a detour to Florida, Jacob deGrom will receive the honor of starting the home opener opposite Philadelphia right-hander Jerad Eickhoff. Steven Matz is on standby to fill in, although the Mets did not rule out Bartolo Colon, either. DeGrom's wife Stacey was due on Tuesday.
The Mets' plan, barring interruption, is for deGrom to pitch Friday, Colon on Saturday and Matt Harvey on Sunday, with Matz opening the following series against the Miami Marlins on Monday.
Terry Collins said he wanted Harvey and deGrom to get the two openers out of respect for their 2015 contributions.
Said Collins: "In spring training … I met with Matt and I met with Jake and I said, 'Listen, for me, there's two major openers for us. One is here in Kansas City playing them. And one is at home in front of our fans on Friday afternoon. And we're going to raise a flag, too. Not the championship flag, but the National League flag.' I think it's a big start. And I thought Jake deserved that start."
WEDNESDAY'S NEWS REPORTS:
Noah Syndergaard fired six scoreless innings, flashed a dominant slider and struck out nine as the Mets beat the Royals 2-0 on Tuesday. Syndergaard, booed as he took the mound, was amused by the warm-up song played at Kauffman Stadium. "There is no man alive who could have hit those three sliders he threw to [Kendrys] Morales," Royals manager Ned Yost said, according to columnist Joel Sherman in the Post. "I don't think I have ever seen a 95 mph slider. George Brett was in here, and I asked him if he could have hit that, and he said no way." Walker delivered a two-run homer against ex-Met Chris Young and was presented with the team's wrestling-style belt postgame by Wright. Jeurys Familia notched the save with a perfect ninth to exorcise demons of three blown World Series saves. Jim Henderson averaged 96.7 mph with his fastball in his first major league appearance since May 1, 2014. Wright had his first two-steal game since June 25, 2013 -- suggesting the talk about his demise may be premature. Read game recaps in the Post, Daily News, Times, Newsday, Record and at NJ.com and MLB.com.
Harvey rails against the media in an extensive feature in the Observer. He also reveals that he has cut out eggs from his diet because it causes his stomach considerable heartache.
Catcher Rene Rivera signed to a minor league deal with the Mets and has been assigned to Triple-A Las Vegas. There will be no immediate impact on Kevin Plawecki. But at some point in the next couple of months, Plawecki may find himself in the Pacific Coast League to get at-bats, with Rivera backing up Travis d'Arnaud in the majors.
Mike Piazza is upset the Mets sold the jersey he wore during the first game in New York City after 9/11. Read the original report in the Post.
Mayor Bill de Blasio plans to sign into law on Wednesday afternoon a smokeless-tobacco ban at New York City sports venues, including Citi Field and Yankee Stadium. While at Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred expressed general approval for the law. Read more at NJ.com.
Despite serious allegations of MLB impropriety by Jenrry Mejia's agent, the disgraced reliever will get a fair shake when he applies for reinstatement, Manfred said Tuesday. Read more in Newsday.
Keith Hernandez tells columnist John Harper in the Daily News that some of Syndergaard's sliders were unhittable.
Read more on Familia's Tuesday success in the Post and at MLB.com.
Chase Utley had another controversial slide on Monday, Mike Puma writes in the Post.
Columnist Tracy Ringolsby at MLB.com views Wright's two steals as a positive sign.
Columnist David Lennon in Newsday recaps Tuesday's events.
Read more on deBaby news at NJ.com.
Read more on Walker's first Mets homer in Newsday and at NJ.com.
Read more on Henderson's first appearance in nearly two years in Newsday.
From the bloggers … Faith and Fear is delighted the Mets found a 2-0 lead they could hold onto versus Kansas City. … Mets Report believes Syndergaard has Cy Young potential.
BIRTHDAYS: Andy Phillips turns 39.
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YOU'RE UP: Who should get the biggest cheer and jeer during pregame introductions on Friday at Citi Field?