Pete Alonso didn’t get back-to-back home run crowns, but will have a shot at repeating as Home Run Derby champion.
The Mets first baseman announced Wednesday that he plans to defend his title, participating in the derby at next month’s All-Star game in Colorado. Alonso won the event — which was canceled last year because of the pandemic — with 57 homers in Cleveland in 2019.
“I had so much fun doing the first one so I was like, ‘You know what, let’s do it again,’ ” Alonso said before going 1-for-4 in the Mets’ 7-3 win over the Braves. “I just had a blast and it’s a really special moment and as long as I have an opportunity I want to do it. It’s something I dreamed about as a kid and being there on the field, and being able to compete in that was a dream come true. I’d love to do it again and I would love to win it again.”
Alonso, who led the majors with 53 homers in 2019 before finishing tied for seventh last year with 16 in the 60-game sprint, said he plans to use Mets bench coach Dave Jauss as his pitcher for the Home Run Derby. Two years ago, Alonso selected his cousin, Derek Morgan, to pitch to him.
Pete Alonso is joining the 2021 Home Run Derby after winning in 2019. Getty Images“In Cleveland it was absolutely surreal with my cousin and that is going to be a highlight of mine forever,” Alonso said.
The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani, who entered play tied for the major league lead with 23 homers, will be among the players in the Home Run Derby.
“He’s having an absolutely dumb year,” Alonso said. “It’s crazy what he is able to do … he’s got stupid juice.”
Tomas Nido was placed on the injured list with a left wrist contusion, two days after he was hit by a pitch.
The move left Patrick Mazeika, who was recalled from Syracuse on Tuesday, as the backup catcher. Yennsy Diaz and Sean Reid-Foley were optioned to Syracuse, as Michael Conforto was removed from the IL and pitchers Tylor Megill and Corey Oswalt selected to the roster. The right-hander Oswalt provided the Mets with bullpen protection behind Megill, who was making his major league debut.
The Mets also cleared space on the 40-man roster by transferring Robert Gsellman and Joey Lucchesi to the 60-day IL.
Taijuan Walker and David Peterson are the Mets’ scheduled starting pitchers for Friday’s doubleheader against the Phillies. Jacob deGrom is scheduled to pitch Saturday, followed by Jerad Eickhoff in the series finale.
