The New York Mets have quickly gotten thin at catcher with Omar Narvaez's injury.

They've already promoted prospect Francisco Alvarez to help fill the void.

Narvaez is expected to miss about two months with a strained left calf.

Billy Eppler says he's comfortable with Nick Meyer and Michael Perez as at-the-ready catching depth, but the club will nevertheless keep an eye out for better external candidates.

This season's trade deadline will be August 1, according to a report.

The new collective bargaining agreement features a "floating" trade deadline.

While the deadline had previously been on July 31 annually, the new CBA affords the league office more flexibility. The commissioner can now choose to set the deadline date any time between July 28 and August 3.