Noah Syndergaard could have a Sunday rotation spot awaiting him.
The Mets right-hander pitched Tuesday in a rehab start for Single-A Brooklyn at Aberdeen, where he allowed three earned runs over five innings with nine strikeouts in his comeback from a strained right hamstring.
According to manager Mickey Callaway, the fact Syndergaard is now stretched out enough to conceivably throw 90 pitches in his next start would make him a candidate to start Sunday night against the Braves at Citi Field.
Walker Lockett and Syndergaard are aligned on the same day, leaving an easy re-entry point into the rotation for the veteran. Lockett was the losing pitcher Tuesday against the Phillies after allowing four earned runs over 5 ¹/₃ innings.
Callaway started Dominic Smith, Michael Conforto and Jeff McNeil in the same outfield for the third time, giving the Mets three players in positions in which they didn’t start the season. McNeil went 4-for-5 and Smith homered in the Mets’ 7-5 loss to the Phillies. Conforto was hitless in four at-bats.
“At this point what we’re trying to do is score runs and still defend adequately,” Callaway said. “I think that we can put the guys that are out there right now and they are probably going to give us the best chance to score some runs early, and then if we have to make an adjustment and defend late we have pretty good outfielders sitting on the bench.
“How I’m looking at it right now: Beat up on the starter and then defend late if we have to. That is probably going to be our best recipe for success.”
Justin Wilson threw about 20 pitches in a bullpen session a day after playing catch on flat ground. The lefty is trying to get back on track after he was scratched from a rehab start last week with elbow tightness, Wilson has been on the IL since May 7.
The Mets have multiple homers in six straight games, their longest such streak since 2006. During the stretch, the Mets have hit 15 homers.
Luis Avilan will continue, likely at Single-A St. Lucie, in his rehab assignments. The lefty reliever came through his first rehab game over the weekend without any issues, according to Callaway.
