Syndergaard clears air with Wright, says eating in clubhouse was a mistake

New York Mets top pitching prospect Noah Syndergaard learned a valuable lesson from a pair of veterans' Tuesday.

During the Mets' intrasquad game, Syndergaard opted to go eat lunch in the clubhouse rather than be in the dugout. Third baseman David Wright and reliever Bobby Parnell approached him and made it clear that it was unacceptable to be eating while his teammates were on the field. 

Marc Carig of Newsday documented the exchange: 

David Wright and Bobby Parnell got on Noah Syndergaard today eating lunch in the clubhouse during the Mets’ intrasquad game. Syndergaard was contrite, but it was not a comfortable exchange. He told me he was stunned when Wright got on him for being in clubhouse. 

Syndergaard actually didn't seem to know what was happening until Bobby Parnell stepped in. As Wright scolded Syndergaard, Parnell took his plate, still piled with food, tossed it into a nearby trash can.

Syndergaard took responsibility Wednesday morning.

"It was just really a mistake on my part," he said. "It was straight-up ignorance on my part, just thinking I can go in there during a game and grab a quick bite to eat. It's just a learning experience for me. I should have been on the bench."

Wright and Syndergaard cleared the air, with Wright apologizing to the young pitcher for confronting him within earshot of the media. 

"(Wright) didn't want me to think that him and Bobby were picking on me," Syndergaard said. "He just wanted to make it clear that they care about me. They want me to be a part of the team because they think I can contribute to the future. I didn't think they were picking on me." 

Wright said the incident was a "non-issue." It's done and over with.

"It's the way that we kind of get on each other, that some people don't get or understand," Wright said. "But I've got three younger brothers. It's the way that I get on them. That's what it's like in here. You have some older brothers. You have some younger brothers. You see something that maybe helps them or helps the team, you get on them.

"You wouldn't do it to somebody that we didn't think could take it or we didn't think was one of us. I like Noah." 

Carig noted that Wright never raised his voice, but obviously wasn't pleased. 

"When I speak to somebody, when I get on somebody, the point needs to be taken," Wright said. 

Syndergaard, who spent last season in big-league camp as well, was apologetic for his actions. 

"I understand where David was coming from," Syndergaard said. "We're playing a team sport. I should be out there supporting my teammates."

Wright regrets what became the public nature of the interaction.

I didn't notice that the media was within earshot. So that's what I apologized to Noah for, is now he has to answer questions, I have to answer questions, (manager) Terry (Collins) has to answer questions. And that's not the way I like to handle things. I wasn't aware of my surroundings.