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LOS ANGELES — Tommy Pham has been called a lot of things in his life. When the Mets signed the veteran outfielder to a minor league contract on Opening Day, he gave himself a new title just for the occasion.
“Your newest 38-year-old prospect,” Pham said Monday at Dodger Stadium ahead of the start of a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Pham returned to the Mets for his second stint with the club this season after only a five-game ramp-up stint in the minor leagues. A few days ago, president of baseball operations David Stearns made it sound like he would need more time to prepare for the season. Pham was signed for outfield depth, but the Mets already had several outfielders on the Major League roster, and still do, even with Juan Soto on the injured list with a calf strain.
But Pham isn’t afraid to push players, especially when it comes to preparation and conditioning. After five losses, the Mets could need an extra edge and Pham certainly provides one.
“I show up, I prepare, I’m just a pro,” Pham said. “I know how to play the game. I love the game. That’s what you’re going to get.”
Pham hit just .167 in five games with Low-A St. Lucie, but there is little to glean from such a short minor league stint, especially since he didn’t have a spring training. However, Pham was working out throughout the winter and spring in hopes of landing a contract, and already considers himself to be in “better shape than a lot of guys in the league.”
Motivation has never been an issue with Pham.
“One thing I told myself this year, I’m going to go harder,” he said. “I want to leave everything on the table.”
The Las Vegas native hit .245 with a .700 OPS and 10 home runs for the Pittsburgh Pirates last season. A right-handed hitter, he has good career splits against lefties, which is what the Mets right now. They’re hitting .263 with a .745 OPS against left-handers.
The Mets plan to use him mostly against left-handers and in left field while Soto is injured.
Pham has been a lightning rod for controversy throughout his career, but he’s long been known to be a fantastic teammate who will go to bat for those in his dugout. He takes pride in his body and competes at an intense level. Most of the coaches who were in Queens during his first stint with the team in 2023 are gone now, and many of the executives are too. But there are plenty of tenured staffers and players who know Pham well and know what they’re getting.
“Yesterday, when the word got out on the way here, I got a couple of coaches, or ex-coaches from him texting me how much [we’ll] love this guy,” said manager Carlos Mendoza. “Even when he got here, talking to some of the players who were here when he was here, I saw how excited they are. A guy that knows what it takes to play here in New York, and wants to be a part of it.”
Soto was given a timeline of 2-3 weeks for a return from his calf strain. After a week of rehab already, the Mets say he’s still on track to meet that timeline. A source close to Soto said the two parties are “on the same page.”
So far, he’s been able to continue taking swings and playing catch, but hasn’t been able to run. Baserunning is the crucial part of his return, so unless he’s able to run the bases comfortably, the Mets won’t activate him.
The star slugger did not make the trip to Los Angeles, instead staying back in New York to continue rehabbing. They may send him for more imaging this week to see if the strain has healed. If that’s the case, they can then start to proceed with the next step. The club is considering bringing minor league pitchers to Citi Field for him to take live at-bats off of instead of a rehab assignment, but a minor league assignment has not been ruled out.
Co-owners Steve and Alex Cohen made the trip to Dodger Stadium. They were seen catching up the Mets during batting practice, and Steve also had a conversation with player agent Scott Boras as well. The Cohens have a place in Beverly Hills, allowing them to regularly make visits when the team is on the West Coast.
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“Your newest 38-year-old prospect,” Pham said Monday at Dodger Stadium ahead of the start of a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Pham returned to the Mets for his second stint with the club this season after only a five-game ramp-up stint in the minor leagues. A few days ago, president of baseball operations David Stearns made it sound like he would need more time to prepare for the season. Pham was signed for outfield depth, but the Mets already had several outfielders on the Major League roster, and still do, even with Juan Soto on the injured list with a calf strain.
But Pham isn’t afraid to push players, especially when it comes to preparation and conditioning. After five losses, the Mets could need an extra edge and Pham certainly provides one.
“I show up, I prepare, I’m just a pro,” Pham said. “I know how to play the game. I love the game. That’s what you’re going to get.”
Pham hit just .167 in five games with Low-A St. Lucie, but there is little to glean from such a short minor league stint, especially since he didn’t have a spring training. However, Pham was working out throughout the winter and spring in hopes of landing a contract, and already considers himself to be in “better shape than a lot of guys in the league.”
Motivation has never been an issue with Pham.
“One thing I told myself this year, I’m going to go harder,” he said. “I want to leave everything on the table.”
The Las Vegas native hit .245 with a .700 OPS and 10 home runs for the Pittsburgh Pirates last season. A right-handed hitter, he has good career splits against lefties, which is what the Mets right now. They’re hitting .263 with a .745 OPS against left-handers.
The Mets plan to use him mostly against left-handers and in left field while Soto is injured.
Pham has been a lightning rod for controversy throughout his career, but he’s long been known to be a fantastic teammate who will go to bat for those in his dugout. He takes pride in his body and competes at an intense level. Most of the coaches who were in Queens during his first stint with the team in 2023 are gone now, and many of the executives are too. But there are plenty of tenured staffers and players who know Pham well and know what they’re getting.
“Yesterday, when the word got out on the way here, I got a couple of coaches, or ex-coaches from him texting me how much [we’ll] love this guy,” said manager Carlos Mendoza. “Even when he got here, talking to some of the players who were here when he was here, I saw how excited they are. A guy that knows what it takes to play here in New York, and wants to be a part of it.”
SOTO STAYS BEHIND TO GET AHEAD
Soto was given a timeline of 2-3 weeks for a return from his calf strain. After a week of rehab already, the Mets say he’s still on track to meet that timeline. A source close to Soto said the two parties are “on the same page.”
So far, he’s been able to continue taking swings and playing catch, but hasn’t been able to run. Baserunning is the crucial part of his return, so unless he’s able to run the bases comfortably, the Mets won’t activate him.
The star slugger did not make the trip to Los Angeles, instead staying back in New York to continue rehabbing. They may send him for more imaging this week to see if the strain has healed. If that’s the case, they can then start to proceed with the next step. The club is considering bringing minor league pitchers to Citi Field for him to take live at-bats off of instead of a rehab assignment, but a minor league assignment has not been ruled out.
STEVE SUPPORTS HIS TEAM
Co-owners Steve and Alex Cohen made the trip to Dodger Stadium. They were seen catching up the Mets during batting practice, and Steve also had a conversation with player agent Scott Boras as well. The Cohens have a place in Beverly Hills, allowing them to regularly make visits when the team is on the West Coast.
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