The Mets moved into a first-place tie in the NL East as they beat the Phillies 5-1 on Monday night at Citi Field. > Box score

Five things to know about Monday's game

1) Steven Matz put last week's nightmarish start against the Phillies behind him, tossing six innings of one-run ball while allowing three hits, walking two and striking out six, as he lowered his ERA to 4.03. Matz retired the first six batters he faced and worked around a second-and-third, one-out jam in the third inning. He held the Phillies scoreless until Rhys Hoskins hit a solo homer in the top of the fourth inning. Included in Matz' night were two strikeouts of Bryce Harper, who was ejected in the top of the fourth for arguing balls and strikes from the dugout before bounding onto the field and losing his mind (more on that below). 

A Mets player was hit on the hand for the third straight game.

This time, it was Jeff McNeil who was hit on the hand by a Jose Alvarez fastball in the seventh inning of Monday's 5-1 win over the Phillies.

Bryce Harper was ejected from Monday's Mets-Phillies game in the fourth inning from the dugout for arguing balls and strikes.

Whether he's with the Mets or a different team, one thing has been consistent with Matt Harvey: success against the Yankees.

The former Mets ace Harvey threw six innings of two-run ball in Monday's start, retiring the last seven batters he faced.

Harvey allowed a solo home run to Luke Voit in the first inning and another run to score on a Gleyber Torres foul out in the third, but allowed just three hits and two walks to lower his ERA to 8.03.

Pete Alonso hit an RBI double in the third inning that gave the Mets a 1-0 lead.

Later in the game, Jeff McNeil hit his first homer of the season, a solo shot off Jake Arrieta that gave New York a 3-1 lead.

The Mets' 5.57 team ERA is the third-worst in the majors, better than only the Orioles and Red Sox. But manager Mickey Callaway isn't ready to sound the alarm.

"It's not concerning," Callaway said at Citi Field before Monday night's game against the Phillies, noting that the sample size is far too small for the team to be worried.

Is Callaway right to not be alarmed? Maybe...

Mets ace Jacob deGrom wound up getting an MRI on his elbow after all -- with it happening Monday morning before he threw a 30-pitch bullpen session at Citi Field.

The MRI came back "clean," GM Brodie Van Wagenen said prior to Monday night's game against the Phillies at Citi Field, adding that they'll see how the rest of deGrom's throwing program goes this week before determining whether he will come off the IL and return to the rotation on Friday when first eligible. 

Roughly three hours before Van Wagenen spoke, deGrom tossed the aforementioned bullpen session under the watchful eye of pitching coach Dave Eiland, concluding the session with a fist bump before walking across the field to the dugout.

The Mets are activating Todd Frazier before Monday night's game against the Phillies at Citi Field, and his return will have an impact on Jeff McNeil -- but fans can breathe a sigh of relief about the kind of impact it will have.

"I envision him playing third -- playing it quite a bit and kind of going from there," Mets manager Mickey Callaway said Monday afternoon about Frazier. "It will be something that we'll have to be diligent about."

While Frazier is going to play third "quite a bit," Callaway said the player that will impact the most is J.D. Davis, who has been splitting time there with McNeil. As far as McNeil, most of his playing time will likely come in left field...

Two of the Mets' starting infielders are out of the lineup on Monday night -- for very different reasons.

After exiting Sunday's game early after getting hit in the hand by a pitch, Robinson Cano is feeling residual soreness, GM Brodie Van Wagenen said. While Cano isn't in the lineup, he could be able to enter the game later on.

X-rays came back negative for Cano after Sunday's game, and the fact that he could be available later on Monday night bodes well. 

The Mets officially activated third baseman Todd Frazier on Monday and placed reliever Justin Wilson on the injured list with elbow soreness.

Frazier, who will play third "quite a bit," according to manager Mickey Callaway, has been out since spring training due to an oblique injury.

He played 13 rehab games with High-A St. Lucie and Triple-A Syracuse, going 10-for-42 with one home run and nine RBIs. Frazier also played four games at shortstop.

The Mets look to avoid a three-game losing streak when they take on the Philadelphia Phillies in the first game of a three-game set on Monday at 7:10 p.m. at Citi Field on SNY.

Mets notes

Amed Rosario (sickness) and Robinson Cano (hand) are not in the lineup. ... Jeff McNeil has eight multi-hit games in his last 13 games, slashing .373/.439/.431 in that span. ... The Mets have the second-worst run differential (minus-19) in the National League, but have the sixth-best record. 

Andy Martino and Doug Williams talk about the Mets pitching dilemma: Do they seek bullpen help or starting pitching? With the woes of the middle rotation should the Mets be worried about more than just their fifth starter? 

Additionally, what's up with Amed Rosario and should fans be worried?

Click below to listen...

Noah Syndergaard is not happy with how he has pitched in 2019, during which he has been charged with giving up 19 runs in just five starts and 29 innings.

"To be quite honest, the entire beginning of this season, my performances have been unacceptable," he said later Sunday. "I have to be better. I will be better. There's no excuses for it."

In his start Sunday against the Cardinals, Syndergaard tossed five innings, allowed four earned runs, eight hits and two batters, both which were the first batter of the inning.

Mets legend Ed Kranepool received good news over the weekend. 

The 74-year-old announced at Citi Field on Monday that he has found a "perfect match" for a new kidney after a nearly two-year wait on the donor list. 

Kranepool, the first baseman on the 1969 World Series champion Mets, has been cleared by doctors for the procedure, which will take place May 7 at Stony Brook University Hospital. 

The market for Gio Gonzalez will be more robust than it was in the winter, with the Milwaukee Brewers now interested in bringing the lefty back, according to major league sources.

The Mets, who were only minimally interested in Gonzalez during the offseason, are more intrigued now. Gonzalez is seen internally as a more likely addition than free agent starter Dallas Keuchel.

The Mets sent a scout to watch Gonzalez's final start for the Yankees' Triple-A affiliate on Friday, but the game was rained out. Gonzalez exercised an opt-out clause in his contract the following day.

If it feels like the Mets just played the Phillies, that's because they indeed did, when the latter took two of three in Philadelphia last week. Tonight's contest begins another three-game set, this time at Citi Field.

Matz won't be able to do any worse than how he fared in the previous series -- so long as there's an out recorded -- as he failed to retire even one batter last Tuesday. Ultimately, eight runs (six earned) went to his name while his ERA soared from 1.65 to 4.96.

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.

Andrés Giménez, SS, Double-A Binghamton (No. 2) -- ETA 2020

Pete Alonso remains listed No. 1 on MLB.com's list of top Mets prospects, but he sure seems well entrenched in the majors given his outstanding start to the season. So Giménez tops the Mets' farm system, and it was a good week for the shortstop in Double-A Binghamton.

The 20-year-old went 9-for-25 in six games, recording one homer, three doubles, three RBI, three walks and two stolen bases along with six strikeouts. He takes a five-game hitting streak into Monday's game at Akron, and he had three hits in two of those games. He did commit an error in his last game, his second of the season.

The standout performance came on Thursday, when he went 3-for-4 with a homer and two doubles. The homer was a blast to right field which left the stadium and went "across the street," according to the MiLB video description.

As Jason Vargas struggles, the Mets have remained in touch with free agent starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel. Here's the latest...

April 22, 12:18 PM:

Although things may change, SNY's Andy Martino is "not hearing a lot of enthusiasm right now" that the Mets will be the ones to sign Keuchel.

The Mets (11-10, second place in the NL East, 1 game behind Phillies) open a 10-game homestand, starting with three games against the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday at 7:10 p.m. 

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

Noah Syndergaard struggled on the mound and more takeaways from the Mets' 6-4 loss to the Cardinals. >> Read More

Mets RHP Noah Syndergaard isn't pitching like the dominant pitcher he has shown capable of being. And he knows he needs to be better.

"To be quite honest, the entire beginning of this season, my performances have been unacceptable," Syndergaard told reporters after Sunday's 6-4 loss to the Cardinals. "I have to be better. I will be better. There's no excuses for it."

Mets first baseman Pete Alonso and Cardinals RHP Dakota Hudson go way back to the Cape Cod League and college, when they'd face each other as SEC foes, Alonso with the University of Florida and Hudson with Mississippi State.

So even though Alonso could have had Sunday off after taking a pitch to the hand on Saturday, he lobbied manager Mickey Callaway to get a chance to face Hudson.

And Alonso, who went 0-for-4 against Hudson in college, got revenge.

Noah Syndergaard struggled on the mound as the Mets lost for the fourth time in the last five games with a 6-4 loss on Sunday at Busch Stadium. >> Box score

Six things to know about Sunday's game

1) Syndergaard (1-2, 5.90 ERA) allowed six runs (four earned) and eight hits in five innings. In five starts this season, he has allowed at least four runs four times.

2) Pete Alonso, Syndergaard, Robinson Cano and Michael Conforto each hit solo homers, however the Mets wet 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and left eight runners on base.

X-rays came back negative on Mets second baseman Robinson Cano's right hand.

Cano left Sunday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals after taking a 93.9 mph Andrew Miller fastball to the right hand in the seventh inning.

Cano went down in pain, however umpires ruled it was a foul ball, a call that manager Mickey Callaway argued, which led to his ejection.

Pete Alonso could have had the day off Sunday. Instead, he wanted to face Cardinals starter Dakota Hudson and called manager Mickey Callaway Saturday night, pleading his case to be in the lineup.

Callaway desired to exercise caution toward his rookie first baseman, who exited Saturday's 10-2 loss in St. Louis after being plunked on the hand with a pitch. X-Rays confirmed that he was OK, and Callaway heeded Alonso's request. 

The decision proved wise. Alonso blasted off to center field on an 0-1 offering from Hudson during his first at-bat of the afternoon. The ball traveled an estimated 444 feet and left the bat at 114.7 mph. He now has eight home runs on the season. 

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...

Wilmer Flores, Diamondbacks

Flores is hitting .236 in 17 games. So far, he has no homers and only one RBI with four doubles with his new team. 

The Mets (11-9) look for a series win over the Cardinals (11-9) in the rubber match of the three-game set at Busch Stadium on Sunday at 2:15 p.m. 

Mets Notes

A win Sunday would give the Mets their third series win of the season. Additionally, a win would give the Mets their 10th road win of the season, which would tie the Mariners for the league lead. ... Pete Alonso is one of two New York rookies to bash seven homers through his first 20 games. Aaron Judge did it for the Yankees in 2017. ... Brandon Nimmo has reached base safely in each of his last 10 games, batting .355 (11-31) with 10 runs, three doubles, three home runs, seven RBI, seven walks and a .487 on-base percentage. ... Jeff McNeil's 100 career hits are the most all-time through 82 games by a Met.

John Harper, SNY.tv | Twitter |

As Jeff McNeil is already making it clear that last year was no fluke, that he's going to hit in the big leagues, and probably for a long time, he's become a favorite topic of conversation among scouts.

Part of it is his throwback approach, choking up on a knob-less bat, making contact to all fields, which appeals to the purist nature of scouts who for the most part have disdain for the home run-or-strike out style that is so prevalent in today's game.

The Mets (11-9, second place in the NL East, 1. game behind Phillies) play the St. Louis Cardinals in the final game of a three-game set on Sunday at 2:15 p.m. 

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

Jeff McNeil made team history at the dish. >> Read More

There wasn't much positive that came out of the Mets' loss in St. Louis on Saturday afternoon, but Jeff McNeil did make franchise history. 

With an infield single in the top of the seventh inning, McNeil became the fastest Met to reach 100 career hits. 

CLICK BELOW TO SEE THE HIT

Following the Mets' 10-2 loss to the Cardinals on Saturday, the Mets called up LHP Daniel Zamora from Triple-A Syracuse and sent down the day's starter, RHP Chris Flexen.

Zamora will work as extra bullpen help for New York. The lefty has appeared in five games with the Syracuse Mets this season, pitching to the tune of a 1.80 ERA over five innings. 

The 26-year-old had a very brief stint with the Mets in 2018, where he owned a 3.00 ERA over nine innings of work.

On Saturday, Pete Alonso took a pitch in the hand, but luckily it doesn't look to be anything concerning for the Mets. 

Manager Mickey Callaway told SNY's Steve Gelbs after the loss to the Cardinals that Alonso was headed for X-Rays following the injury.

"He's getting X-Rays as we speak," he said. "Not overly concerned. He seems like he's doing OK."

The Mets couldn't get things going at the plate in St. Louis on Saturday, as the Cardinals handed them a 10-2 loss. >> Box score

Five things to know about Saturday's game...

1) Chris Flexen got the spot start for the Mets in place of Jacob degrom, who was placed on the IL with a sore elbow. He didn't fare well against the Cards, allowing six runs (five earned) on seven hits over 4.1 innings. While he didn't record a strikeout, he allowed four walks in his outing as well. 

As the Mets' bullpen struggles, they have remained in touch with free agent reliever Craig Kimbrel. Here's the latest...

April 20, 4:02 PM:

The Mets still remain among teams interested in signing Kimbrel. But, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, the team is only willing to sign Kimbrel if he was open to pitch in any role. This is obviously due to Edwin Diaz solidified in the closer role for now. 

The Mets appear to have some reason for optimism surrounding Jacob deGrom's elbow. 

After placing the right-hander on the 10-day injured list on Friday and scheduling an MRI in New York for Monday, Mets manager Mickey Callaway told reporters before Saturday's game against the Cardinals that deGrom may not have an MRI at all, although he will still be evaluated by doctors. 

DeGrom even long-tossed from 120 feet on Saturday and said afterward that everything "felt completely normal."

The Mets (11-8) look to build off Friday's win as they face the Cardinals (10-9) at Busch Stadium on Saturday at 2:15 p.m. 

Mets Notes

Chris Flexen makes the spot start in place of the injured Jacob deGrom. ... Jeff McNeil's .391 batting average is tied for the second-highest in the majors this season. His 99 career hits are also the most all-time by a Mets player through his first 81 games. ... Michael Conforto has reached base safely in 12 straight games since April 6. ... Brandon Nimmo is back in the leadoff spot after missing some time with a stiff neck. He has reached base safely in his last nine games

The Mets (11-8, first place in the NL East, tied with Phillies) play the St. Louis Cardinals in the second game of a three-game set on Saturday at 2:15 p.m. 

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

In the Mets' 5-4 win over the Cardinals, Pete Alonso went deep again and his solo shot proved pivotal as the bullpen bent but did not break as they held onto the victory. >> Read more

John Harper, SNY.tv | Twitter |

There was bound to be panic among Mets fans, no matter how the news was delivered that Jacob deGrom was going to get an MRI, but in retrospect it sure seemed the ballclub raised the panic level higher than necessary with what appeared to be some level of miscommunication.

After all, how could anyone not think the worst when Mickey Callaway announced Friday afternoon that deGrom was being scratched from his Saturday start, and heading back to New York for an MRI on his elbow -- immediately, it seemed.

Over the next hour or so, however, Brodie Van Wagenen released a statement providing important context, saying deGrom felt better after getting treatment from the medical staff on Friday, and wouldn't be getting that MRI until Monday, while staying with the team in St. Louis for the weekend series against the Cardinals.

After the news that Jacob deGrom will get an MRI on his elbow cast a pall over the Mets, they went out and defeated the Cardinals Friday night, 5-4. >> Box score

Six things to know about Friday's game...

1) Pete Alonso did another Pete Alonso thing in the sixth inning, crushing a solo home run 432 feet to center field with an exit velocity of 111.7 miles per hour. It turned out to be a huge homer as that put the Mets up 5-1, and their bullpen went on to give up three runs. Alonso finished 2-for-4 with a walk and two runs. He now has seven homers and 18 RBI this season.

The Mets will call up RHP Chris Flexen from Triple-A Syracuse to start on Saturday in place of the injured Jacob deGrom, who is set to undergo an MRI Monday on his elbow. 

Flexen has made two starts in Triple-A so far, allowing seven earned runs in 12 innings. In his last outing he allowed five runs (two homers) in six innings on six hits and two walks.

Pete Alonso has done it again, hammering a line-drive home run as the Mets beat the Cardinals on Friday night.

The following is a statement sent via text from Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen. It echoes what we previously reported from other sources -- that the Mets are not particularly concerned about the injury.

"Jacob dealt with sickness over the last week and hasn't been able to conduct his normal routine between starts. As a result, he has been scratched from tomorrow's game. Additionally, Jacob experienced some mild soreness in his throwing arm over the last 24 hours. His arm felt significantly better following treatment with our health and performance staff today. Even so, Jacob will be evaluated by our medical team in New York on Monday in the abundance of caution.

"We will be placing Jacob on the IL retroactively to April 16th enabling him to return on Friday the 26th when we begin our series with the Brewers. We will make a corresponding roster move prior to tomorrow's game."

Mets RHP Jacob deGrom is having his Saturday start pushed back because his elbow has been "barking" and will undergo an MRI, manager Mickey Callaway said before Friday's game. He'll get the MRI on Monday.

"DeGrom is going to be pushed back tomorrow, he's not gonna pitch," Callaway said. "He's been under the weather, his elbow is a little barky. We're gonna get him back to New York. Get him checked out, have an MRI, and go from there at this point."

DeGrom had initially been pushed back from Friday to Saturday due to strep throat. As far as the elbow issue, Callaway said he first started feeling it Friday...

The Mets (10-8) begin a three-game series against the Cardinals (10-8) in St. Louis Friday at 8:15 p.m. on SNY.

Mets Notes

Jason Vargas tries to right the ship as he takes the hill one day earlier than expected. He was moved up from Saturday originally because Jacob deGrom had strep throat, but on Friday Mickey Callaway said deGrom would be sent for an MRI on his "barking" elbow, meaning Vargas might have more job security in the short-term. ... The Mets have lost four of their last five games. ... Since 2009, the Mets have a 10-21 record in St. Louis. ... Jeff McNeil is hitting .500 (8-for-16) with runners in scoring position, tied for fifth-best in the National League. ... Brandon Nimmo remains out of the lineup with a stiff neck but should be available to pinch-hit.

As Jason Vargas takes the hill in St. Louis against the Cardinals on Friday night, the Mets will be scouting his potential replacement.

The Mets will be in hand in Buffalo as Gio Gonzalez -- who SNY's Andy Martino reported is "increasingly likely" to opt out of his deal with the Yankees on Saturday -- starts for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre.

Martino added that the Mets seem more open to adding Gonzalez now than in the offseason, when they weren't interested.

On the season premiere of The Amazin' Life presented by Coca-Cola, Todd Frazier tries to give teammate Brandon Nimmo some New Jersey style!

Gio Gonzalez appears increasingly likely to opt out of his minor league deal with the Yankees on Saturday, according to multiple major league sources. If he does, the Mets could be more of a fit than they were in the offseason.

On Friday, Gonzalez switched agents from Scott Boras to CAA. The move was intended to set him up with representation that he felt more comfortable with, in the event that he would become a free agent again.

If Gonzalez requests his release from the Yankees on Saturday, per a clause in his contract, the team will have 48 hours to add him to the major league roster. With Domingo German pitching capably and CC Sabathia back from the injured list, there is no obvious spot for Gonzalez -- though the Yankees could promote him and either piggyback him with German or put in him their rotation, in order to retain control.

Some pitchers just evoke a certain type of emotion when you spot their name in a pitching matchup. In the case of Vargas -- as Mets fans unfortunately know all too well -- it could be anger. For a bettor, it might be a signal to instantly "fade," or bet against.

There's no question Vargas has been a disappointment since arriving in Flushing last year. After his latest dud, one that saw him record a mere one out last Saturday, the 36-year-old has now crafted a brutal 6.32 ERA in his 22 starts (and one relief appearance) with the Mets. Suffice to say, his days in the rotation could be numbered.

Pete Alonso has not wasted any time in making his mark with the Mets. 

The rookie first baseman has six home runs and 17 RBI with a slashline of .323/.413/.708 through the first 18 games of his career. 

He has even put himself in the same category as Yankees sluggers Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton with his 454-foot, 118.3 mph home run against the Braves on April 11 -- the ninth hardest hit ball ever recorded by Statcast and hardest ball hit by a player not named Judge or Stanton. 

The Mets began a 13-game stretch last week that included 10 games against the Phillies and Braves.

I believed the Mets would need to win at least six of those 10 games -- which would put them around 14-10 heading into their next homestand -- to avoid hitting the panic button too early.

To date, they have won just two of seven during this stretch, with three left against the Phillies, whom they will play at Citi Field after beginning a three-game series Friday against the Cardinals in St. Louis.