ATLANTA -- While the New York Mets are engaged in a negotiation over Matt Harvey’s usage, there is no similar debate regarding Noah Syndergaard.
Syndergaard dominated for seven innings in Saturday’s 6-4 win against the Atlanta Braves, lifting his season innings total to 159 (including minors).
That’s already 22 innings over last season’s total with Triple-A Las Vegas.
Still, manager Terry Collins said a six-man rotation and capping Syndergaard’s starts at seven innings the remainder of the regular season will be sufficient without more drastic measures. Syndergaard should have three more starts before the postseason.
At least team brass feels comfortable with that plan right now.
“So far they are,” Collins said. “You’re talking about a big, strong young man. I asked him yesterday how he felt. He said, ‘I feel terrific.’ This is his first time in September. I’m not that worried. We’ve put down this policy that we’re going to watch these innings. And we’re going to watch them.”
The 23-year-old Syndergaard was skipped his last turn, so he was pitching for the first time in 13 days on Saturday night at Turner Field. He limited the Braves to one run on two hits and a walk in seven innings. Syndegaard’s fastball averaged 98 mph and topped out at 100 mph.
“Did he hit 100 mph today?” catcher Travis d’Arnaud asked. “It was coming out of his hand really explosive today. He did a good job of calming himself down if he ever overthrew. I thought he did a tremendous job.”
Said Syndergaard: “It’s been a long 13 days. I got a little anxious out there. It’s been a while since I was able to get out there and compete. I’m very pleased with how I pitched tonight.”
Collins said the 6-foot-6, 240-pound Syndergaard still looks strong despite pitching this late into a year for the first time in his career.
“He certainly had more left in him, which is a good sign as we head late into the month,” Collins said after removing Syndergaard after seven innings and 94 pitches on Saturday.