Noah Syndergaard’s largest type of competitors over the subsequent a number of months may be attempting to return to the Mets sooner slightly than later.
Chatting with a gaggle of youth baseball gamers this week on a Zoom chat, the Mets right-hander mentioned his purpose isn’t solely to pitch in 2021, however to start out the season with the staff. Syndergaard underwent Tommy John surgical procedure on March 26, after spring coaching had been suspended for the COVID-19 outbreak.
“I feel that is the very best time to [rehab] contemplating there isn’t a baseball proper now, however I totally intend to be prepared for subsequent Opening Day, however doing it in a sensible method,” Syndergaard mentioned. “The rehab is 12-15 months and I see that as a contest.”
The Mets are nicely conscious of the rehab’s various nature. Among the many excessive instances was Zack Wheeler, who tore his ulnar collateral ligament in spring coaching 2015 and missed two full seasons rehabbing from Tommy John surgical procedure. Matt Harvey tore his UCL and in August 2013 and held off a number of weeks earlier than present process surgical procedure as a result of the membership had knowledgeable him he wouldn’t be allowed to pitch the subsequent season, regardless. Harvey had weighed the opportunity of pitching with the torn ligament.
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As any person who can grow to be a free agent after the 2021 season, Syndergaard has added motivation to return as rapidly as potential and enhance his worth. Syndergaard, 27, final season went 10-Eight with a 4.28 ERA and 1.234 WHIP over 34 begins. He averted arbitration over the winter by agreeing to a $9.7 million contract for this season.
On the Zoom chat Syndergaard indicated he’s been resting at dwelling in Florida, enjoying pool basketball and “plenty of left-handed horse” in opposition to teammate Robert Gsellman.
“I’m doing plenty of left-handed issues,” Syndergaard mentioned. “I’ve had an actual good quarantine, actually. I haven’t actually had a lot cabin fever. I do miss baseball. Sadly, I’m not going to have the ability to compete this yr. Hopefully, sooner or later we can have some kind of normalcy return.”
Ought to there be a season, the Mets nonetheless have 5 skilled beginning pitchers — Jacob deGrom, Marcus Stroman, Steven Matz, Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha — however can be brief on rotation depth. Syndergaard’s inclusion within the rotation would have allowed the Mets to maintain Wacha or Matz within the bullpen as a possible spot starter.
“Little question the lack of Noah will impact us,” pitching coach Jeremy Hefner mentioned in an electronic mail. “He’s an incredible athlete with many instruments at his disposal. We’ll assist him in his rehab journey and look ahead to him pitching in Queens once more.”
The Mets’ beginning pitching depth contains names resembling untested minor leaguers David Peterson, Franklyn Kilome and Thomas Szapucki, together with Walker Lockett and Corey Oswalt, each of whom bounced between Triple-A Syracuse and the Mets final season.
“There’s a stable group of pitchers from which we are able to name upon,” Hefner mentioned. “I’m not suggesting any of them are Noah at this level, however we’re assured in our participant improvement system in addition to our means to develop on the main league degree to fill that void the very best we are able to.”