MLB

Terry Collins: Noah Syndergaard might not get called up in ’14

ATLANTA — Noah Syndergaard might not be such a certainty to join the Mets rotation this season.

Manager Terry Collins said Tuesday the organization’s top pitching prospect — who in spring training seemed on the brink of a promotion to the majors — isn’t in the conversation for a possible call up.

After a rough outing Tuesday (3 2/3 innings, 11 hits, five earned runs), the right-hander is 6-4 with a 5.70 ERA in 15 starts for Triple-A Las Vegas.

Syndergaard has survived two injury scares this season, first with right forearm discomfort and later a strained left shoulder he incurred in a collision while covering home.

Collins said he has not received updates “in awhile” on Syndergaard’s pitching performances.

“There’s a possibility we might not see him,” Collins said before the Mets’ 5-4 loss to the Braves at Turner Field.

“[Stuff] happens,” he said. “Injuries, workload, hasn’t performed maybe to the way we thought he was going to, there’s all sorts of things that get in the answer. I just know right now there hasn’t been a discussion of Noah Syndergaard and when he’s coming.”

A club source recently said organizational officials have struggled to get a read on the 21-year-old Syndergaard, and he might benefit from spending the entire year at Triple-A.


Collins said he and pitching coach Dan Warthen are discussing whether Dillon Gee should return to the Mets next week or remain on a rehab assignment to pitch through the All-Star break. Gee is scheduled to pitch Friday for Single-A Brooklyn. If he returns to the Mets after that start, he would pitch once and then have to sit for 7-10 days during the All-Star break.

“Would it be wiser to get him another [rehab] start during the All-Star break?” Collins said.


The latest All-Star Game voting tally showed David Wright second among NL third basemen, trailing Milwaukee’s Aramis Ramirez by 235,060 votes. With Wright having a subpar season and now recovering from a bruised left rotator cuff, he is hardly guaranteed a spot on the NL roster if he doesn’t win the fan vote. Daniel Murphy and Jon Niese are the Mets’ primary candidates if Wright isn’t selected.


Juan Lagares, who has struggled since his return from the disabled list, worked before the game on staying back on pitches longer. It must have helped as Lagares went 2-for-4 with a run scored. He is 5-for-20 (.250) since his return.