MLB

Nothing more than a scare for Mets’ Syndergaard

The Mets received some rare good news on Tuesday.

An MRI exam performed on top pitching prospect Noah Syndergaard’s elbow was negative, according to general manager Sandy Alderson, and the stud right-hander has been prescribed stretching exercises for his shoulder.

“Based on what I knew from Las Vegas, I was hopeful this would be the outcome,” Alderson said before the Mets’ 4-2 win over the Pirates at Citi Field.

No timetable has been set for Syndergaard to resume throwing. Syndergaard was diagnosed with a mild flexor-pronator strain in the elbow after his last start for Triple-A Las Vegas.

In 10 starts at Las Vegas, the 21-year-old Syndergaard is 5-2 with a 4.02 ERA.


Travis d’Arnaud is expected to be activated for Wednesday’s game against the Pirates, according to Alderson. D’Arnaud’s last action for the Mets came two weeks ago, when he sustained a concussion on Alfonso Soriano’s backswing.

D’Arnaud started at catcher for Double-A Binghamton Tuesday.


New hitting coach Lamar Johnson said the club’s anemic offensive production at Citi Field is a mystery to him.

“I don’t know anything about that,” Johnson said. “All I know is, you play the game and it happens that way sometimes. I can’t say one way or the other. I only see the games on TV.”

Johnson, who spent the last 10 years as the organization’s minor-league hitting coordinator, was the Mariners’ hitting coach in 2003 and served in the same capacity with the Royals (1999-2002) and Brewers (1995-98).

“It’s a lot more technology [now] and a lot of stats,” Johnson said.

Dillon Gee (strained lat) is headed to Port St. Lucie and said he expects to soon begin throwing from a mound, but is unsure when he might make a rehab start.

The right-hander said he is taking the “slow and steady” approach after trying to rush back from the injury and incurring a setback. Rookie Jacob deGrom has been filling Gee’s rotation spot.

Brandon Nimmo left Tuesday’s game for Single-A St. Lucie with a sprained left ankle.