Mets will host private workout for Cuban defector Yulieski Gourriel
Cuba's Yulieski Gourriel hits the ball during a Caribbean Series baseball game against Mexico, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Monday, Feb. 2, 2015. Credit: AP / Ricardo Arduengo
ATLANTA — The Mets will host a private workout sometime next week for Cuban defector Yulieski Gourriel, assistant general manager John Ricco said on Thursday.
The Mets’ top scouts are expected to attend the workout. It’s unclear where it will be held.
Playing mostly in Cuba’s top league, Gourriel has a career slash line of .335/.417/.580 with 250 homers. He once was regarded as the best player in Cuba, and the Mets are intrigued by his pedigree. With David Wright potentially lost for the season, they have been linked to the 32-year-old, who was declared a free agent last week. He reportedly has worked out for the Dodgers.
Gourriel might require a long-term contract, and taking such a risk for an unknown commodity would be out of character for the Mets under general manager Sandy Alderson.
Collins apologizes
Mets manager Terry Collins apologized for behavior that he called “very unprofessional” one day after seemingly losing his cool following Wednesday’s 4-3 win over the Royals.
During his postgame news conference, Collins called Jay Horwitz a “puppy dog’’ after the longtime Mets PR man pressed the manager to reveal that pitcher Noah Syndergaard left the game with elbow discomfort.
“I was out of line saying what I said at the press conference,” said Collins, who also apologized to reporters. “I was so tired of talking about injuries . . . He was just doing his job and I wasn’t doing mine.”
Horwitz accepted the apology.
Movin’ on up
Shortstop Amed Rosario, one of the highest-rated prospects in the Mets’ system, was promoted to Double-A Binghamton on Thursday. Rosario was hitting .309 with three homers and 40 RBIs in 66 games for Class A St. Lucie.
Rosario, 20, is regarded as the Mets’ shortstop of the future and has been regarded as untouchable during trade talks.
