13 May, 2017
"There are things that go on that you deal with every day that make the job hard, but you know it comes with the territory", Collins said.
Collins indicated that he was aware that a suspension could be on the horizon for Harvey.
But the announced crowd of 39,197 knew what was going on and serenaded the Mets with sarcastic applause when Rene Rivera led off the sixth with a bloop single just beyond third base. "We've got about the best new we could from that situation last night".
"I didn't even think about it. All together with the help of his teammates and the help of his coaching staff we'll move on and hopefully in two months we're back to where we were with him pitching well".
Coming off two straight playoff appearances, the Mets began this season with lofty expectations.
Stanton added a solo shot - this one off the windows of the suites in left field - in the third for his 21st career multi-homer game and his sixth at Citi Field.
Harvey didn't go to the ballpark Saturday, and apparently that is behind the suspension, though the Mets aren't saying the reason for the absence or the ban. Collins held a closed-door meeting with his team before Sunday's game to talk about the penalty.
"There's no question we've got to get some length out of our starters, or our pen's going to be dead in July", Collins said. He boarded a flight to NY around midnight, Pacific time, landed in NY and went straight to the field.
Harvey has largely disappointed so far this season, posting a 2-2 record and a 5.14 ERA in six starts as he returns from season-ending surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome.
"I'm hoping he's back (Monday), but he's still got some soreness there".
Harvey underwent Tommy John surgery in October 2013 that cost him all of 2014, when he knocked heads with the Mets over where he would rehab.
An All-Star in 2013 who helped the Mets reach the World Series in 2015, Harvey has not been the same pitcher since then.
It's just the latest issue in a long line of questionable moves involving the pitcher that has frayed his relationship with the team. He made only 17 starts last seas. He was removed with the lat injury after only 11 batters. Syndergaard issued an apology Saturday to Mets public relations director Jay Horwitz and to members of the media for an outburst on April 27. Plawecki has said he had no knowledge of the toy being in his locker.
-The St. Louis Cardinals placed outfielder Jose Martinez on the 10-day disabled list due to a left groin injury.
