Noah Syndergaard is getting closer to a return for the New York Mets.
Appearing for the Brooklyn Cyclones in his first in-game pitching appearance since May, Syndergaard allowed a leadoff home run, hit a batter, and struck out one in his lone inning of work.
Aside from the K, Thor’s other two outs came by way of the groundout.
“It felt great to get back out there,” Syndergaard told reporters after his appearance.
“I eat, breathe, and sleep recovery. It’s a huge passion of mine. I really trust that I’m going in the right direction.”
"I think it would be best if I didn't throw the curveball as well"
Noah Syndergaard says he'll focus on throwing the 4-seam fastball, 2-seam fastball and changeup this season after being advised by doctors not to throw his slider pic.twitter.com/XXrDEdpDRA
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 27, 2021
While Syndergaard’s fastball reached 95 miles per hour, he didn’t have many other options.
The Mets righty was instructed by doctors to not throw his slider or curveball this season. Instead, he will focus on his four-seam fastball, two-seam fastball, and changeup.
“[Throwing the slider] could definitely have been the reason why I had that setback,” explained Syndergaard.
In May, Syndergaard was removed from his second rehab start with St. Lucie after experiencing right elbow soreness. While the road back from Tommy John Surgery often takes over a year, Syndergaard is approaching two years away from a Major League Baseball game.
The Mets still hope that Syndergaard will be able to pitch in September.
