Mets prospectsNolan McLean and Brandon Sproatare "putting themselves in the position" to be called up, president of baseball operations David Stearns said while answering a question about the two right-handed pitchers before Friday's game on SNY.
"I think it's all part of the equation," Stearns said when asked how much "roster flexibility" factors into McLean and Sproat remaining with Triple-A Syracuse. "So, the roster situation's part of the equation. Ensuring that we treat their development appropriately is part of the equation.
"They're doing a great job. I think they're putting themselves in the position, when and if we have a need, we feel confident going down there and getting an arm. And we're going to continue to factor them in as we go through the rest of the season."
Stearns echoed his previous sentiments about timing.
"I think, ideally, you'd have some runway," he said. "I also understand that, sometimes, the realities of a major league season don't allow you to do that. So, ideally, yes — if you're calling up someone like that, you'd like them to have a multiple-start runway. That would be my expectation, but there are no absolutes in this thing. Sometimes, we have to adjust to what the season gives us."
At the same time, Stearns kept his options open.
"I don't think we'd close the door on anything right now, especially as we get into second half of the month into September where we have a little roster flexibility, you have the extra pitcher," he said. "I think it opens up a variety of different possibilities.
"We're in early August, and that is well into the season. We're in a pennant race. There's also a lot of baseball left. A lot of things are going to happen over the next month and a half, and we're going to put our roster and pitching staff in the best position to help us going forward."
McLean and Sproat, both 24, are Nos. 4 and 5 overall in SNY contributor Joe DeMayo's midseason top 30 prospects.
In 15 games (12 starts) for Syracuse this season, McLean is 5-4 with a 2.81 ERA and 1.09 WHIP.
Sproat, meanwhile, is 7-5 with a 4.10 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 22 starts for Syracuse this year.
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