Noah Syndergaard almost unhittable in first outing
Noah Syndergaard throws during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday, March 10, 2016, in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Syndergaard allowed just one hit in three innings. Credit: AP / Jeff Roberson
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Sure, it’s early. But one turn through the rotation, the Mets look pretty darn good.
Noah Syndergaard fired three shutout innings against the Cardinals on Thursday in the Mets’ 7-2 victory at Tradition Field.
Syndergaard, who allowed one hit, walked none and struck out two, became the last of the Mets’ five starters to pitch in an exhibition game.
Syndergaard, Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, Steven Matz and Bartolo Colon combined to allow four runs in 15 innings in their initial outings.
Asked what he thinks about the potential of the Mets’ starters, Syndergaard said: “The possibilities are endless.”
Manager Terry Collins agreed. “There’s always a debate about who’s going to be the best,” he said. “This kid’s got a chance to be the guy.”
Matz on Friday
Steven Matz will start against the Nationals in Viera on Friday on three days’ rest. Pitching coach Dan Warthen said the Mets will limit the Long Island lefty to three innings (same as his first outing) in deference to his not getting the full four days’ rest.
Matz and Colon both started on Monday. The Mets could have inserted a sixth starter but decided not to.
“Had he struggled through his innings [on Monday], then I would have changed it,” Warthen said. “I would have done someone else. But everything is great. He’s anxious to pitch.”
Extra bases
Outfield prospect Travis Taijeron, who hit 25 home runs for Triple-A Las Vegas last season, hit a three-run home run in the seventh inning. The 27-year-old is batting .389 with seven RBIs . . . Lefty reliever Josh Smoker allowed a two-run homer by lefthanded-hitting Matt Adams . . . Infielder Matt Reynolds, out with a hamstring injury, hopes to return Saturday.
Anthony Rieber covers baseball, as well as the NFL, NBA and NHL. He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since July 5, 2004.
