A Mets official still has Mickey Callaway's back

If John Ricco gets the full-time CEO position of the Mets, Mickey Callaway will not have to worry about him.

Earlier this week, the freshman told the Post that he was wondering if GM Sandy Alderson's authorized leave for a cancer treatment would have an impact on his future, but Ricco offered Callaway the badurance that the current office believes that he was still the right employer.

"My point of view has not changed at all," Ricco said Friday before the Mets beat the Rays 5-1 at Citi Field. "Obviously, I played a big role in Mickey's involvement, I trust him."

Despite the disappointment of this season, Ricco said he was confident that Callaway can lead a winning team.

"A rookie manager arrived, there were some problems with growth, the team obviously did not perform as well as we hoped, but it did not work. I changed my point of view about Mickey, "said Ricco." We would like everything to happen overnight, but we have to be patient in some areas. We definitely want to earn more and we have to earn more, but just about Mickey, I'm really excited about the work that he's doing, the dialogue we have and the future. "

With Noah Syndergaard To do his first rehab on Sunday at Single-A Brooklyn, the right-hander could then be re-entered in the rotation for Friday night's game against the Nationals.

Syndergaard, who does not want to go out. has not appeared in a match since May 29 because of a ligament stretched in his right index finger, should throw 65-70 shots.

The Mets will give Chris Flexen his first start Sunday season against the Rays, then open Monday's double program with Zack Wheeler, followed by Corey Oswalt The start of Tuesday has not yet been determined

Yoenis Cespedes (hip) has increased the intensity of his run and continues to hitting, but will probably not start until early next week He still has no schedule for his return

"He feels better, but we want to make sure we do not jump with him "Ricco said." The great thing for n We were to bring him back to where he could run at full speed because that was his main problem. … Given its history, they want to make sure they check each box before moving it forward.

Jay Bruce (Hip) took the practice of batting on Friday for the first time since he was injured.

Jason Vargas (Calf) plans to start the live bat practice early next week.

T.J. Rivera (elbow) began a rehabilitation mission Thursday night, and "is getting very close."