Pitchers can be prickly about the catchers they prefer to throw to, as the Mets are apparently seeing now.
Noah Syndergaard received a no-decision after going five innings in New York's 10-7 loss to the Phillies on Sunday afternoon. It turns out that before the game this weekend, Syndergaard reportedly confronted both Mickey Callaway and Brodie Van Wagenen about being matched up to pitch to Wilson Ramos, according to the New York Post.
Those meetings apparently didn't bring about any positive resolutions for Syndergaard. Ramos caught Syndergaard on Sunday, instead of the right-hander's preferred Rene Rivera or Tomas Nido.
The report claims that Van Wagenen "believes the pitcher-catcher dynamic is overstated and favors the best offensive matchup against the opposing pitcher." The first-year Mets' general manager also supposedly wants to avoid pitchers having "personal catchers."
Syndergaard's numbers are down slightly in 2019, as he's 10-7 on the year with a 4.06 ERA. The 27-year-old has only thrown to Rivera once this season, while he has thrown to Ramos 15 times. Syndergaard got the win after seven scoreless innings in his only appearance with Rivera. He has a 5.09 ERA throwing to Ramos this season.
According to the Post, Syndergaard doesn't have any personal issues with Ramos, but instead just thinks he performs better when partnered with the team's other catchers.
Van Wagenen spoke Monday evening to the press about the issues with Syndergaard. He essentially confirmed the reporting, while adding that the problem will be resolved and that "in a family dynamic, relationships have to be managed."
Syndergaard's next start is scheduled for Friday when the Dodgers come to Citi Field. At the moment, it's still unclear which catcher he will be pitching to.
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