It was only a matter of time, but the Mets finally made the move Tuesday, sending top pitching prospect Noah Syndergaard to minor-league camp.
"No matter how well I threw during spring training, whether I struck out everybody and didn't allow any runs whatsoever, I think I still was going to go over to the minor league side regardless," Syndergaard said, per MLB.com. "I know there's a business standpoint to it and there's other things I need to work on on the mound."
Syndergaard posted a 5.19 ERA in four spring starts, striking out 10 batters and walking five over 8 2/3 innings. He will open the season at Triple-A Las Vegas, with a likely promotion to the majors this summer.
"The message was, 'We'll see you pretty soon,' basically," Syndergaard said. "That's always a good thing to hear."