The clock has officially resumed for Noah Syndergaard to return to the Mets as a downloader this season, after the former All Star starter did some roller coaster while throwing fast balls on his way back to the mound on Thursday at the night on Coney Island. .
However, how much Syndergaard will be able to help the sinking Mets is in serious question. After his single-entry exit at High-A Brooklyn, the right-hander revealed that he has been medically advised not to throw the slider for the rest of this season.
Syndergaard allowed a run at home, but then completed the first inning as scheduled to begin his final stage of minor league rehabilitation, against Aberdeen at Maimonides Park. It marked his first game action since his initial rehabilitation assignment after Tommy John’s elbow surgery in 2020 was halted in May due to a repaired elbow discomfort.
“I thought it was great to be out there again … especially after the scare I had three months ago,” Syndergaard said via Zoom. “Whenever you have that kind of setback with that kind of rehab injury, it’s a little scary.”
Syndergaard coughed a home run to the first hitter he faced, Lamar Sparks, in a fast 0-2 ball that recorded 95 mph. The right-hander also hit Doran Turchin with a homeless throw, before leaving out AJ Graffanino and retiring Maverick Handley on a first-half field of play to complete the entry on 16 throws (12 strokes).
Acting Mets general manager Zach Scott has said several times that he expects the 28-year-old right-hander to return as a lifeguard to possibly help the bullpen in September. Scott said Tuesday that the Mets view Syndergaard as a multi-entry relief threat, a role the pending free agent said he is willing to play.
“I feel pretty flexible, I really don’t care,” Syndergaard said. “I just want to go out and compete and help the team in whatever way I can and introduce myself to some meaningful baseball games.”
Syndergaard further explained that his doctors, David Altchek and Neal ElAttrache, advised him not to launch the slider because they believe the launch probably contributed to its previous closure. He also said he decided not to throw his curved ball the rest of the year for that reason and instead will focus on his two- and four-seam fast balls and a change during the shorter relay outings.
“To be honest, I was not aware that that would happen. We can talk about these things, ”said manager Luis Rojas. “I like the willingness to participate in any role. It remains a force, even without these two releases. “
Syndergaard has not appeared at the Mets since September 2019. He missed last year’s pandemic shortening season due to surgery in March.
“It allowed me to really focus on my recovery over the last 17 months. I really didn’t have any FOMO [fear of missing out] or any desire to go out and do anything, “Syndergaard said.” There really wasn’t much to do. I’m very grateful to be able to go out tonight healthy. I felt really good. “
As for the release in relief as he heads into an uncertain season, Syndergaard added: “I haven’t really focused on free agency or where I will be next year. I can’t imagine leaving. New York or leaving the Mets ”.