The bad news just keeps on coming for the Mets. 

Jeurys Familia is heading back to the IL with a Bennett lesion in his right shoulder -- the same injury that placed him on the list last time around -- the team announced before Tuesday's contest with the Braves. 

Manager Mickey Callaway was asked about Familia's health on Tuesday, and he didn't give a straight answer...

The Mets (34-38, 8.5 GB in NL East) continue their crucial three-game series against the Atlanta Braves (43-30, 3.0 game lead in NL East) on Tuesday at 7:20 p.m. at SunTrust Park. 

Mets notes

The Mets have dropped four out of five and have come up on the losing end in six of their last 10 games. ... The Mets have gone 18-14 against the NL East this season, the most wins within the division. ... Mets relievers have allowed a run in each of their last eight games, going 0-3 in that span with a 8.51 ERA.

The Mets delivered some more bad news on OF Brandon Nimmo. 

After a second opinion from Dr. Robert Watkins in Los Angeles, Nimmo has been shut down from baseball activities for the next month, per manager Mickey Callaway. Dr. Watkins also gave him a second epidural shot. 

As of now, Callaway added "there hasn't been any talk of surgery," to repair the bulging disc in his neck. It is worth noting Watkins is the same doctor that dealt with David Wright's spine issues.

John Harper, SNY.tv | Twitter |

After an ugly loss in which their all-too obvious flaws were exposed, the Mets suddenly find themselves 8.5 games behind the streaking Braves, and perhaps on the precipice of another lost season.

In June. Again.

Last year they went 5-21 in June to make the rest of the season feel more like an exercise in garbage time. This month hasn't spun out of control quite yet, as the Mets are 6-9 as of Tuesday. But at 34-38 they are only a few games better than their record at this time last year.

SNY's exclusive evening to premiere our new documentary "62,000:1 -THREE TEAMS, ONE CITY, ONE YEAR," is just a few days away, but only 18 tickets remain to screening!

The premiere, which will take place at the Director's Guild of America theater on June 25th, will also include a panel discussion with some of the athletes featured in the film.

Hosted by SNY's Doug Williams and his father, MSNBC anchor Brian Williams, panelists will include Cleon Jones (Mets), Don Maynard (Jets), John Schmitt (Jets) and Dr. Dick Barnett (Knicks). 

With the Mets trailing the Braves, 5-3, in the seventh inning on Monday night, Jeurys Familia trotted in from the bullpen to try to hold Atlanta right there. He failed. Drew Gagnon came in to try to clean up Familia's mess. He failed.

A 5-3 deficit became a 9-3 deficit and eventually a 12-3 loss. 

And so it goes for a Mets bullpen that is the main reason why the team is staring at the possibility of another lost season right now instead of being in the thick of a playoff race.

The Mets (34-38, 8.5 GB in NL East, 5.5 GB of second Wild Card) continue their three-game series against the Braves on Tuesday night in Atlanta at 7:20 on SNY.

Here's what happened on Monday in case you missed it...

In the Mets' 12-3 loss to the Braves, the bullpen turned a 5-3 deficit into a 12-3 laugher >> Read more

The Mets fell to the Braves, 12-3, on Monday and once again it was the bullpen that was the biggest concern following the loss. 

Jeurys Familia struggled again, allowing three earned runs on a walk and two singles in just .1 of an inning. He was pulled from the game before allowing a run, though, but Drew Gagnon was unable to clean up his mess, allowing all three baserunners to score plus giving up four runs of his own in 1.1 innings pitched. 

"We just stunk," manager Mickey Callaway said after the game. "We weren't good. We gotta recalibrate what we're doing and have to do the job better. That's just plain and simple."

As the Mets fall to four games under .500, much of the discussion is starting to shift on if they should become trade deadline sellers. 

One of those names they could potentially deal was Monday's starter, Zack Wheeler. 

The right-hander was not his best, allowing five runs -- four earned -- on 10 hits and two walks while striking out four over six innings. 

The Mets fell for the fourth time in their last five games, dropping the opener of a three-game set on the road with an 12-3 loss to the Atlanta Braves. >> Box score

5 things to know from Monday's game...

1) Zack Wheeler was once again not at his best. The right-hander was immediately tagged for a leadoff home run by Ronald Acuna as part of a two-run first then settled for three innings before running into trouble again in the fifth where he allowed three more runs which broke a 2-2 tie. Wheeler's final line was six innings, 10 hits, five runs -- four earned -- two walks and four strikeouts in the loss. 

Mets RHP Zack Wheeler helped himself out at the plate on Monday night by lining an RBI single into center field to tie the game up at 2 in the fifth inning. 

The Mets (34-37, 7.5 GB in NL East) open an 11-game road trip with a critical three-game series against the Atlanta Braves (42-30, 2.5 game lead in NL East) on Monday at 7:20 p.m. at SunTrust Park. 

Mets notes

The Mets have not played well on the road this season. They are 14-23 away from Citi Field and 4-11 in their last 15 road games. ... Michael Conforto has reached base safely in his last 12 consecutive games in which he is hitting .283 with three home runs, seven RBI and eight runs scored. ... Todd Frazier enters the game one home run shy of his 200th career homer. ... Wilson Ramos is hitting .343 with five home runs, 14 RBI, 10 walks and 14 runs scored in his last 22 games. 

It seems like the Mets may have gotten lucky when it comes to the severity of Noah Syndergaard's hamstring strain.

An MRI taken on Sunday revealed a "low-grade" strain, manager Mickey Callaway said before Monday's game in Atlanta, noting that Syndergaard (who is on the IL and will miss his start on Thursday) will be evaluated again in the coming days.

Before Monday's game, Syndergaard -- who was on his way to the field to do agility drills -- said that he is in "tip top" shape, according to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo.

After being scratched from the lineup while rehabbing with Triple-A Syracuse on Friday, Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo is in Los Angeles Monday to meet with noted spine specialist Dr. Robert Watkins, reports Joel Sherman of the New York Post. 

Watkins is the same specialist who treated David Wright while he was dealing with his spine issues. 

Nimmo was in New York on Saturday, with manager Mickey Callaway and GM Brodie Van Wagenen updating the situation. 

Danny Abriano, SNY.tv | Twitter |

Every Monday, we'll be taking a look at how the Mets' top prospects (their MLB.com Mets Top 10 rankings are in parenthesis) are faring.

Andres Gimenez, SS, Double-A Binghamton (No. 1) -- ETA 2020

The 20-year-old Gimenez -- who is the Mets' No. 1 prospect now that Pete Alonso's prospect status has expired -- missed just over 10 days after getting hit in the hand by a pitch, and returned over the weekend.

The Mets (34-37, 7.5 GB in NL East, 5 GB of second Wild Card) begin a season-high 11-game road trip against the Braves, Cubs, and Phillies on Monday night at 7:20 on SNY.

Here's what happened on Sunday in case you missed it...

In their 4-3 loss to the Cardinals, Jason Vargas left early due to a cramp and it was Chris Flexen who was on the mound in the eighth inning to give up the deciding run >> Read more

John Harper, SNY.tv | Twitter |

During the offseason, the Braves were the least active of the presumed four NL East contenders, seemingly to their detriment. In short, it seemed they lost the winter.

Except that doesn't matter so much considering they the best young talent in the division, including May call-up Austin Riley, Atlanta's version of Pete Alonso as a difference-making rookie slugger.

Also, when they save your best move for June, signing Dallas Keuchel to bolster the starting rotation.

The Mets couldn't even the four-game series with the Cardinals, falling late to St. Louis, 4-3, at Citi Field on Father's Day Sunday. >> Box score

Six things to know from Sunday's game...

1) Jason Vargas started this one looking to continue his hot stretch. And though he was pitching pretty decent, a lefty calf cramp forced him to leave the game after four innings. Overall, he allowed three runs (two earned) on just one hit -- a two-run homer by Paul Goldschmidt -- and three walks. He also struck out four over his 72-pitch outing.

The Mets' starting pitching health has taken quite a hit over the last 24 hours. 

After Noah Syndergaard exited Saturday against the Cardinals with what was later diagnosed as a right hamstring strain that put him on the injured list, Jason Vargas left Sunday's game in the fourth inning

In the middle of his at-bat against St. Louis starter Dakota Hudson, Vargas fouled off a 1-0 pitch and was clearly uncomfortable after doing so. After consulting with training staff and manager Mickey Callaway, Vargas headed to the dugout. The good news, per the Mets, is that it is a calf cramp and nothing overly serious.

The Mets found themselves down from the start after a two-run homer from Paul Goldschmidt. However, the Mets managed to charge back, and Juan Lagares came through when his team needed it. 

Already tying the score at two in the bottom of the third, Lagares hit a single to right field to score Adeiny Hechavarria to take a 3-2 lead...

The Mets have reshaped their roster over the last year and change, saying goodbye to some familiar faces (some beloved, some not) in the process. Every week, we'll take a look at how some of those former Mets are performing with their new teams...

Jarred Kelenic, Mariners (minors)

As Edwin Diaz continues to falter in high-leverage situations, the trade that brought himself and Robinson Canó to Flushing draws increased ire. Kelenic was one of the main prospects included in the deal and got out to a scalding start with Class A West Virginia. 

Anthony McCarron, SNY.tv | Twitter |

Keith Hernandez is sitting in the press dining room at Citi Field on a recent afternoon, leaning back, relaxed. Why not? He's talking about the greatest individual season of his playing career, a baseball summer 40 years ago when the sweet-swinging lefty hit so much he shared the National League MVP Award with a slugger he admired.

He knows he and Willie "Pops" Stargell own a little slice of baseball history, perhaps forever. They're the only players ever to tie in the voting for the coveted award.

"It'll never happen again," Hernandez says. "It'll be a baseball trivia question way down the road. And people will go, 'Who's Willie Stargell? Who's Keith Hernandez?' a hundred years from now."

The Mets (34-36, 6.5 GB in NL East) look to split their four-game set with the Cardinals (35-34, 3.5 GB in NL Central) on Sunday at 1:10 p.m. at Citi Field.

Mets notes

The Mets are 30-34 all-time on Father's Day. ... Although the superficial numbers may not indicate such, Michael Conforto continues to be a steady presence in the Mets' lineup. He's sixth among NL outfielders in fWAR and he's hitting .286 during an 11-game on-base streak. ... J.D. Davis is coming off a career-best four-hit night. His 1.038 OPS at home this season ranks behind only Conforto among Mets. ... Robinson Canó returns to New York's lineup after landing back on the IL on June 6 to fully rehab from a left quad injury.  

Manager Mickey Callaway confirmed on Sunday that Noah Syndergaard has a right hamstring strain, as he heads to the IL. 

Syndergaard is getting an MRI to see the severity of the injury, but the Mets put him on the IL due to him not being able to go through his routine heading into his next start.

"He's actually getting an MRI right now, but we did put him on the IL," Callaway said. "Didn't seem like he would make his next start anyway because it would be hard to get his work in in between."

After a stint on the IL with a left quad injury, Robinson Cano has finally returned to the Mets. 

Cano has been on a rehab assignment, with his most recent step in Triple-A Syracuse. But, on Saturday, he was seen with the Mets at Citi Field going through workouts in the outfield to test the quad as well as participating in batting practice. 

Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen said that he was going through his pregame routine to see if he is fully recovered. He added he would be evaluated on Sunday to see if he could be activated, and luckily, that's the case. 

Anthony McCarron, SNY.tv | Twitter |

To illustrate the lovely bond that bloomed between the 1969 Mets and their roommates at Shea Stadium, the Jets, John Schmitt tells the following story: 

Schmitt, the center on the Jets' Super Bowl III champs, brought his young son, John-John, to the ballgame one night to see the great Tom Seaver pitch. Schmitt ushered John-John into the Mets' clubhouse, where Seaver was getting a pre-game massage. Schmitt did not want to disturb a fellow athlete's prep, but Seaver insisted. 

"He got off the rubdown table, put on his jersey and hat and took a picture with us," Schmitt recalls. "He was great. Then he takes off his jersey, gets back on the table and went out and won the game that night.

The Mets (34-36, 6.5 GB in NL East, 5 GB of second Wild Card) picked up a thrilling win over the Cardinals, 8-7, at Citi Field on Saturday night.

Both teams will finish their series on Sunday at 1:10 p.m. It will be Jason Vargas against Dakota Hudson on the mound. 

Here's what happened on Saturday in case you missed it...

The final play of the Mets' win wasn't pretty. Kolton Wong hit a blooper to right field and both Michael Conforto and Jeff McNeil couldn't make the catch. Jack Flaherty, the pinch runner, tried scoring from first to tie the game, but McNeil wasn't about to let that happen. Here's what he had to say about his game-saving throw home. >> Read More

On the latest episode of The Amazin' Life presented by Coca-Cola, Todd Frazier delivers all the Fatherly Advice and Dad Tips that you need!

The squirrel sealed it.

Just when it appeared Edwin Díaz was going to blow another game, Jeff McNeil prevented everything from falling apart at the seams, making a game-saving throw off Kolten Wong's bloop hit to shallow right to nail pitcher Jack Flaherty, a pinch-runner, at home plate, ending the game and preserving the Mets' 8-7 win over the Cardinals.

"I knew Mike (Conforto) was in no-doubles (defense,) so I know he's playing extremely deep," McNeil said. "So I do everything I can to get out there and try to make the catch. It was a really tough catch - Mike goes in there sliding, I go in there leaping. Once the ball hit the ground I knew they were gonna send him, they were gonna try to tie the game right there.

Noah Syndergaard left the game with an apparent leg injury, while Pete Alonso slammed another home run in the Mets' 8-7 win over the Cardinals Saturday night. >> Box score

Six things to know from Saturday's game...

1) Syndergaard's night got off to a bumpy start, as Dexter Fowler followed up his three-run shot last night with a solo home run off of Syndergaard in the top of the first inning. He eventually settled down and pitched into the seventh inning, but after allowing a leadoff single, Syndergaard grabbed at the back of his right leg and was pulled from the game. He limped to the dugout with members of the training staff. His injury was later announced as a right hamstring strain.

Noah Syndergaard pitched into the seventh inning on Saturday, but after allowing a leadoff single to Yairo Munoz and falling behind Jose Martinez 2-0, Syndergaard reached down and started grabbing the back of his right leg.

Mickey Callaway and the training staff quickly came out the mound, and Syndergaard was immediately pulled.

Pete Alonso raked his longest home run as a Met on Saturday night, blasting a majestic three-run home run off of Michael Wacha in the bottom of the first inning.

Alonso's 23 home run of the year put the Mets up 3-1 ...

The Mets (33-36, 7.5 GB in NL East) look to bounce back after dropping the first two games of their four-game set with the Cardinals (35-33, 3.5 GB in NL Central) on Saturday night at 7:10 p.m. at Citi Field.

Mets notes

The Mets are 5-5 in their last 10 games, but home cooking continues to help, as they've won 13 of their last 18 games in Queens. ... Four different Mets pitchers have homered this season (Steven Matz, Jacob deGrom, Zack Wheeler, and Noah Syndergaard twice), the most in a single season in team history. ... The Mets have homered in 18-straight games, the longest streak in franchise history.

Robinson Cano (quad) appears to be getting closer to returning from the IL. 

The second baseman, who was on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Syracuse, was with the Mets on Saturday in Citi Field testing his left quad in the outfield and taking batting practice prior to the game. 

According to GM Brodie Van Wagenen and manager Mickey Callaway, Cano was going through his pregame routine and they would assess on Sunday whether or not he is ready to be activated off the injured list. 

The Mets officially introduced first-round pick Brett Baty on Saturday afternoon after the first-round pick signed his contract with the team.

"He is a player with tremendous power," said Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen. "This was a player that's important to us, this is a player that we have a lot to look forward to. We feel like he can make an impact with his bat and we feel like he can be a player that's a part of our future sooner rather than later.

"I can't say enough about our scouting staff. We saw Brett early and often this spring, and virtually every important person from a scouting standpoint saw Brett play ... A lot of people spent a lot of time in getting this selection right."

After losing a suspended game and the game that followed, the Mets entered Saturday at 33-36, three games under .500, 7.5 games behind the Braves in the National League East and five games back of the Phillies for the second wild card spot. 

With the MLB trade deadline just six weeks away, it is worth wondering if the Mets are going to be buyers or sellers. 

GM Brodie Van Wagenen believes the team can still contend for the postseason, at least for now. 

The Mets made a bit of a shake-up in their bullpen on Saturday.

Tyler Bashlor was officially sent back to Triple-A after serving as Friday's 26th man, as was Tim Peterson, while Chris Flexen was brought up to the big league roster. Additionally, the Mets acquired RHP Brooks Pounders from Cleveland in exchange for cash considerations. To make room on the roster, Hector Santiago was officially designated for assignment.

Flexen, a a right-hander, has appeared in two games for the Mets this season, going 0-2 with a 11.12 ERA. Over the last three years, he's appeared in 20 games for the Mets, compiling an 8.70 ERA over 60 innings.

It's no secret that the Mets' bullpen has had its struggles this season, highlighted by Friday's pair of losses.

Between Edwin Diaz, Jeurys Familia, and others the Mets just haven't quite locked in on the best way to handle the late innings.

There's a new name on the market who could be an intriguing option for the back end of the Mets' pen. 

Cody Allen, a 30-year-old right-hander, was designated for assignment by the Angels on Saturday morning. Signed to be the team's closer this offseason, Allen struggled with the Angels, posting a 6.26 ERA in 25 appearances while losing his closing role. His poor season came to a head on Friday, when he allowed four runs in two-thirds of an inning against the Rays.

The Mets (33-36, 7.5 GB in NL East, 5 GB of second Wild Card) fell to the Cardinals Friday night, twice, losing a suspended game, 5-4, then the regularly scheduled game, 9-5. They return to face the Cardinals on Saturday at Citi Field at 7:10 p.m. 

Here's what went down on Friday, in case you missed it:

After blowing the save in Thursday night's suspended game, Edwin Diaz returned for the 10th inning to pitch again only to allow another run and take the loss as well. In the regularly scheduled game, it was Jeurys Familia who cost the Mets, blowing a one-run lead in the eighth by allowing four runs, including two home runs, in a 9-5 loss. 

As if the Mets needed any more questions about their bullpen, they may have another injury to deal with after Friday's game.

Robert Gsellman pitched a scoreless seventh inning for the Mets, but was then taken out of the game as part of a double switch. When asked about that move after the game, Mickey Callaway said Gsellman told him he was experiencing tightness in his back.

Callaway didn't have much more info on Gsellman, other than that he will get treatment and the team would go from there. 

The Mets' bullpen racked up two more losses in the span of about four hours on Friday.

After Edwin Diaz took the loss in Thursday's suspended game, it was Jeurys Familia who took the 'L' in Friday's scheduled game.

The Mets battled back from a 4-2 deficit to take a 5-4 lead through seven innings. Then, Mickey Callaway turned the ball over to Familia, who allowed four earned runs on three hits, including home runs by Paul DeJong and Dexter Fowler.

After losing the end of Thursday's suspended game, which was blown by Edwin Díaz, the Mets lost their regularly scheduled game Friday to the Cardinals, 9-5, thanks to Jeurys Familia's eighth-inning implosion. >> Box score

Five things to know from Friday's game...

1) Familia entered in the eighth with a 5-4 lead gave up four runs. On his second pitch, he gave up a solo homer to Mets nemesis Paul DeJong, who drove in the game-winning run in the suspended game. DeJong has eight homers in 75 at-bats against the Mets. Familia then gave up a three-run homer to Dexter Fowler with two outs. It's the second time in his career Familia allowed two homers in a game, the first coming this season on April 6 against Washington. He's allowed five homers this season after giving up three all of last season. The four runs allowed increased Familia's ERA to 6.91 for the season as his return to the Mets continues to be disastrous. 

Anthony Kay's first start for Triple-A Syracuse didn't exactly go as planned.

The 31st-overall pick in the 2016 draft pitched a scoreless first inning against Gwinnett, but the Stripers got after the lefty in the second inning, striking for three runs on four hits in the frame.

Overall, Kay allowed five earned runs over four innings of work, striking out six hitters. Kay showed some command issues on Friday, as only 49 of his 83 pitches were strikes. He also allowed a two-run home run to Sean Kazmar in the third inning. 

Brandon Nimmo was removed from Syracuse's lineup just before Friday's game against Gwinnett with neck soreness.

The 26-year-old was slated to play center field and bat leadoff tonight for Syracuse, but he was replaced by Rajai Davis just before first pitch. Nimmo was out of the lineup on Thursday, but he played in the first two games of the Mets' series with Charlotte.

Nimmo was originally placed on the 10-day Injured List on May 22nd with neck stiffness. He will be re-evaluated on Saturday.

Having completed Thursday's suspended game, the Mets now host the Cardinals for their regularly scheduled game at 7:10 p.m. on SNY.

Mets notes

The Mets have homered in 17 consecutive home games, the longest streak in franchise history. They've hit 34 homers during that stretch. ... Mets starting pitchers have gone at least six innings in 14 of the last 15 games. ... Wilson Ramos was hitting .367 with five homers, 11 RBI and 10 walks over his last 19 games entering Friday. ...Pete Alonso leads all rookies in homers (22), RBI (49), extra-base hits (37), slugging (.598) and runs (40.)

After giving up two runs to blow the save Thursday night before the game was suspended, Edwin Díaz returned for the 10th inning Friday when the game was picked up and took the loss as the Mets fell to St. Louis, 5-4, in 10 innings. >> Box score

Six things to know from Friday's first game...

1) Upon the restart, the Mets went down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the ninth. Díaz came on for the 10th, staying in after blowing the save Thursday. He allowed a leadoff single, after which Yairo Munoz stole second, advanced to third on a groundout and was driven in by Paul DeJong. In addition to his third blown save, Díaz took his fourth loss.

There's been a lot of questions floating around about Dominic Smith this season.

Will he get any playing time at first base with the way Pete Alonso's hitting?

Can he play the outfield?

The Mets (33-34, 6.0 GB in NL East) will continue their suspended game with the Cardinals (33-33, 5.0 GB in NL Central), which is tied at 4 in the bottom of the ninth, on Friday at 6:10 p.m. at Citi Field. 

Mets notes

The Mets entered the ninth inning with a 4-2 lead but as rain began pouring down the groundscrew began to roll out the tarp. The Mets convinced them to hold off so they can try to finish the game, but that decision backfired and Edwin Diaz blew the save. He allowed a leadoff walk, got the next two batters out before allowing a two-out RBI single to Kolten Wong and a double to Harrison Bader to tie the game. ... The Mets will have Todd Frazier, Wilson Ramos, and Amed Rosario up in the ninth against Andrew Miller.

The starting rotation, healthy and being pushed to pitch deeper into games lately, still offers the possibility of carrying the Mets toward serious contention. No matter what, though, the bullpen isn't deep enough, even presuming that Edwin Diaz gets his act together.

And somehow Brodie Van Wagenen needs to reinforce it.

Making a trade is the most obvious way, but there will be a limited number of quality relievers on the market, and the Mets' farm system is thin on top prospects, in part because Van Wagenen included Jarred Kelenic and Justin Dunn in the Diaz/Robinson Cano trade last fall.