Syndergaard Injured
The Baseball Gods and the Norse deities have something in common: both are exceptionally fickle. Noah Syndergaard missed a scheduled start with biceps tendinitis on April 27. The Mets requested that their ace undergo an MRI before his next game, which Syndergaard refused. Being a young “bulletproof” guy, Syndergaard threw a bullpen session Friday. Afterward, Syndergaard addressed reporters, stating, “I think I know my body best. I’m pretty in tune with my body, and that’s exactly why I refused to take the MRI.” Manager Terry Collins started his young ace on Sunday April 30, against the Washington Nationals. In that very start, Syndergaard injured his lat.
It wasn’t pretty. “Thor” came out throwing 100 MPH, but gave up five earned runs on five hits through an inning and a third. He exited the game, holding his lat. The primary diagnosis was a strained lat, with an MRI scheduled for May 1. The MRI confirmed that the Mets ace suffered a partial tear of the right lat muscle. The Mets moved Syndergaard to the 10-Day disabled list, but there is no timetable for his return. Mets left-handed pitcher Steven Matz suffered a similar injury in 2015. Matz missed approximately two months of the season while rehabbing that injury.
#Mets announce partial tear of lat muscle for Syndergaard. Matz spent 2 months on DL with similar injury in 2015.
— David Lennon (@DPLennon) May 1, 2017
Mets Injury Woes
Syndergaard’s injured lat is the latest in a string of injured Mets pitchers and position players. Matz is out currently with a elbow issue. Right-hander Seth Lugo is on the disabled list with a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing arm.
Two starters from Triple-A Las Vegas are currently on the 40-man roster: Sean Gilmartin and Rafael Montero. The Mets will welcome either to the depleted rotation. The four-man rotation currently consists of Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler, and Robert Gsellman. Collins will have to either move a reliever into a starting role, or recall a pitcher.
In the short term, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports that the Mets will start Montero in Friday’s game:
The Mets’ plan is for Rafael Montero to start Friday in Syndergaard’s spot. Beyond that, we’ll see. Matz/Lugo not due back until end of May.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) May 1, 2017
The Mets injury woes continue. Proper health and safety concern for the players would have prevented the addition to the DL. The Mets front office needs to look at their health and wellness policies. Injured players cannot help the ball club.
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