ATLANTA -- Mets manager Terry Collins apologized on Thursday for his interaction with longtime vice president of media relations Jay Horwitz, who urged Collins after Wednesday's game to share injury news about Noah Syndergaard. Collins called Horwitz a "puppy dog," told reporters that Syndergaard was headed to the hospital for testing, then walked off without taking questions.
A day later, Collins apologized for his behavior.
"All I seem to talk about is injuries every day," Collins said. "I can't even enjoy a win. So that was my fault. It certainly was very unprofessional. That's part of my job is to handle those things. But I'd like to enjoy a victory one time for more than five minutes."
• Syndergaard will make next start Monday
Collins initially did not reveal Syndergaard's elbow injury because no reporters asked about the pitcher, in a game that also saw Yoenis Cespedes leave due to injury and the Mets come from behind to win on a Matt Reynolds homer. But Horwitz, knowing the media would become suspicious when Syndergaard was not available to talk about his start, urged Collins to disclose the information.
One of the highest-ranking Mets employees, Horwitz joined the Mets in 1980, and has been by Collins' side since the manager came aboard in October 2010. Syndergaard wound up being diagnosed with nothing more than right elbow inflammation and will make his next start.