Mets manager Buck Showalter questions suspension coming so close to start of Braves game

Ahead of Tuesday's doubleheader versus the Braves, Showalter spoke with reporters about learning of his ban from general manager Billy Eppler shortly before Monday's encounter.

"I found out about 6:20-ish," Showalter explained, according to Danny Abriano of SNY. "Billy came in. I thought he was kidding. What are you gonna do?" 

The Mets squandered an early lead and fell to the Braves 5-2. New York bench coach Glenn Sherlock served as acting manager for the matchup. 

"Trying to create an environment, and have to walk in the locker room at 6:25 and say 'go get 'em.' And then go down and tell the coaches they have to change everything," Showalter added about the situation. "I don't know competitively speaking if the timing was fair to the New York Mets."

Lopez, meanwhile, received a three-game suspension but was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse after Sunday's victory and, thus, can't serve the ban until he returns to a big-league roster. Showalter admitted Lopez's lack of availability may impact when or if the Mets will recall him. 

Showalter and multiple Mets players met with MLB officials this past Friday to address the well-noted fact that the Amazins have had a league-high 21 players plunked by pitches this spring. 

"It's funny, we're the guys that have been hit and we're the ones getting punished," Showalter said on Tuesday. "Think about it. Strange. Believe me, I have some personal, private thoughts about it. It probably doesn't do anybody any good to air it."