Mets pitcher Jason Vargas had to be held back after telling a reporter he would knock him out

Things are not going well for the New York Mets right now, as their bullpen blew another lead on Sunday, giving up three runs to the Cubs in the 8th inning before losing the game 5-3 at Wrigley.

Tensions were running high in the locker room after the game as manager Mickey Callaway apparently had some words for Tim Healy, who covers the team for Newsday.

Then pitcher Jason Vargas heard what was going on and reportedly had a stare down with the reporter and threatened to knock him out.

Yes, this story is so Mets, who are four games under .500 after Sunday’s loss.

Update: The Mets released a statement a few hours after the incident:

#Mets statement regarding today’s clubhouse incident involving Newsday’s Tim Healey and Mickey Callaway/Jason Vargas. pic.twitter.com/dwqPVxwaVT

— David Lennon (@DPLennon) June 24, 2019

Let’s get some details on this incident:

Vargas then got into a shouting match with the reporter, over a staredown, and said at one point: "Ill knock you the f*** out, bro."

He charged such reporter and had to held back by Gomez and Syndergaard.

— Matt Ehalt (@MattEhalt) June 23, 2019

Callaway told the public relations staff to “Get this motherf—-er” out of the clubhouse and when Healey didn’t leave, Vargas got into a stare down with him. Words were exchanged and Vargas had to be restrained from him.

— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) June 23, 2019

Callaway asked Mets PR to remove the reporter from the clubhouse, saying "(the reporter) will be here tomorrow."

Guess who might not be here tomorrow? In my opinion, this altercation was chaotic enough to end Callaway's managerial tenure with the Mets.

— Deesha Thosar (@DeeshaThosar) June 23, 2019

Fans had feelings on it:

Vargas and Callaway going after a reporter in the clubhouse LOL. Is this finally the "complete fiasco" that will get Mickey fired, @NYPost_Mets? #Mets pic.twitter.com/5wdrXINhsd

— Bobby (@BobbyIsGross) June 23, 2019

I genuinely don’t think it’s an overreaction for Vargas and Callaway to be fired for what happened there. In other lines of work, that is entirely fireable. Vargas can’t just threaten someone working and well, there has to be a tipping point for Callaway. #Mets

— Matt (@Mattswfc1) June 23, 2019

So Mickey Callaway was cursing out Tim Healey and Jason Vargas went after him and they had to be separated. This is the best action the Mets have seen all day. Maybe Mickey should curse out his own players before he curses out the media

— Justin Grosier (@Grossed_Out) June 23, 2019

Step right up and meet the Mets!