BULLISH MOVE?
Mets discussed sending Syndergaard to pen, bringing Matz to bigs
The fragile state of the bullpen has the Mets concerned to the point there was recent discussion within the organization about Noah Syndergaard’s viability as a reliever.
But team brass remains committed to Syndergaard in the rotation and is unlikely to make the radical switch that would have involved promoting stud lefty Steven Matz to take Syndergaard’s rotation spot, according to an industry source.
While the bullpen’s numbers are solid, the Mets lack a setup man to get the ball to closer Jeurys Familia, and some within the organization believe Syndergaard could fit that role with his high90’ s fastball and wipeout curve.
With Familia unavailable on Saturday, the bullpen blew a tworun lead. And manager Terry Collins has used the righthander for fourand five out saves on several occasions.
Former closer Bobby Parnell made his first appearance Saturday since Opening Day of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, but his velocity has yet to return, his fastball sitting at 9192 mph.
In six starts, Syndergaard has been up and down, 24 with a 4.15 ERA. At Triple A Las Vegas, Matz has performed extremely well, going 64 with a 2.30 ERA and 81 strikeouts in 78 ¹ / ₃ innings.
The Mets are expected to be adding a new name to the bullpen on Monday. The team announced Sunday night Single A reliever
Akeel Morris was on hisway to New York to be activated for Monday night’s game against the Blue Jays.
Morris, the team’s 10thround pick in the 2010 draft, had 13 saves for Port St. Lucie and 46 strikeouts in 32 innings pitched with a 1.69 ERA. There is the possibility the Mets could demote struggling righthander Dillon Gee to Las Vegas to make room for Morris. Mets rookie outfielder Darrell
Ceciliani continued to impress Sunday, reaching base twice and blasting his first career home run in the team’s 108 victory over the Braves at Citi Field.
Ceciliani, a 24yearold, fourthround pick in 2009, threw out a runner at the plate on Saturday and has hit well as a pinch hitter, with three hits in 11 atbats. He started the Mets’ rally froma fiverun deficit in Sunday’s series finale against the Braves, drilling a Mike Foltynewicz offering into the second deck in right field in the fourth inning.
Travis d’Arnaud’s return didn’t mean a trip to the minor leagues for
Kevin Plawecki after all. The Mets optioned Anthony Recker to Triple A Las Vegas while keeping Plawecki up, in part because d’Arnaud will be needed to be given a few days off each week for the time being as he works his way back froma sevenweek absence after breaking his right pinkie.