Mets will give Lucas Duda a shot to run away with the starting first base job - MLB

Lucas Duda and Ike Davis were supposed to compete for the Mets’ starting first base job during spring training, but both players were injured for most of the Grapefruit League schedule, so we entered the regular season without a resolution. However, the Mets appear ready to make a choice.

According to Andy Martino of the New York Daily News, Duda will start at first base Friday and will get a shot to run away with the job. Davis arguably has the greater long-term upside, but the Mets shopped him for most of the winter, which is perhaps of an indication of the front office’s preference.

This is a good time for the Mets to give Duda an extended look, as the club is expected to face all right-handed starters until at least next weekend in Los Angeles. Josh Satin still figures to get most of the at-bats at first base against southpaws regardless of whether the club eventually settles on Duda or Davis.

Duda, 28, entered today’s action with a .246/.341/.423 career batting line.

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ST. LOUIS — Miles Mikolas is sticking with the St. Louis Cardinals.

The right-hander signed a three-year, $55.75 million contract on Friday that will carry through the 2025 season.

The new deal replaces a $68 million, four-year contract signed in February 2019 that covered the 2020-23 seasons and was set to pay $15.75 million this year.

Mikolas will receive a $5 million signing bonus payable July 1 and will make $18.75 million in 2023 and $16 million in each of the following two seasons. Mikolas can earn a $250,000 bonus for winning a Cy Young Award, $50,000 for All-Star election or selection or winning a Gold Glove, $100,000 for League Championship Series MVP and $150,000 for World Series MVP.

Mikolas is scheduled to make the second opening-day start of his big league career next Thursday when the Cardinals host Toronto. Mikolas went 12-13 with a 3.29 ERA last season while helping St. Louis to the NL Central title.

“Miles stands among the top pitchers in the game today, and has continued to provide a steady presence for us both in the rotation and inside the clubhouse,” St. Louis general manager John Mozeliak said in a statement.

Mikolas is 45-40 with a 3.79 in 143 games with San Diego, Texas and St. Louis. He recently pitched six shutout innings in two appearances for the U.S. in the World Baseball Classic.