The manager was in the position of defending his pitchers on Friday, before the Mets’ 6-2 win over the Padres, after questions arose over the manner in which opponents have pitched Wright.
“I think a lot of teams try to pitch [Wright] inside,” Collins said. “Are we retaliating? Ask Ryan Braun how many times he got backed off. We did hit two guys [Thursday] if I’m not mistaken.
“We aren’t going to get in a war. They’re not throwing things under David’s hat. If I start seeing David going on his butt, there will be some answers to it.”
In a published report, Matt Harvey, who is expected to miss the entire season, said he will defend Wright, who went 0-for-3 with a sacrifice fly Friday, once he returns. But Collins doesn’t believe such rhetoric is necessary.
“We protect David as best as we can, but I just think once in a while, we’ve done it to all the big guys,” Collins said. “We’ve done it to Jayson Werth for I don’t know how long. You’ve got to be careful of starting a war. If you start a war, there is going to be one guy who is going to pay the price for it all.”
Eric Young Jr. could be in position to rejoin the team by the end of this weekend, according to Collins. Young, recovering from a pulled right hamstring, was scheduled to play a rehab game for Double-A Binghamton on Friday.
Collins said he was unsure about Jenrry Mejia’s availability, a day after the right-hander departed with lower back soreness. Mejia said he was feeling better, but would need permission from the team doctor to resume.
Curtis Granderson (calf) was absent from the starting lineup for a second straight game, but said he could have come off the bench if needed.