The New York Mets announced on Tuesday afternoon that they have officially activated right-hander Noah Syndergaard from the injured list to serve as the 29th man for the doubleheader with the Miami Marlins at Citi Field.
Syndergaard will serve as an opener, and start Game 2 of the doubleheader.
It’s been a long road back for the big right-hander who last pitched in a big-league game two years ago tomorrow, September 29, 2019.
Syndergaard underwent Tommy John surgery in March of 2020. The team was expecting him to return sometime in the second half and provide a much-needed boost to the rotation, however, his right arm had other plans.
Syndergaard seemed to be well on his way to a return, but elbow discomfort during his second rehab outing forced him to be shut down again and ultimately pushed back his expected return date.
After resting and then ramping back, Syndergaard finally began another rehab assignment in early August. However, he faced another roadblock in his return, as he was sent into isolation for 10 days after testing positive for COVID-19.
Finally, Syndergaard was able to get in two clean rehab outings this past week with Triple-A Syracuse. The results have been there, as he’s pitched to a 1.19 ERA and has nine strikeouts across five minor-league rehab outings.
However, as requested by doctors, Syndergaard has been throwing just his fastball and changeup and in his recent two outings his fastball velocity has been sitting around the mid-to-low 90s.
It is not yet known how much Syndergaard will be used over the final week of the season, but he will start things off as the opener in tonight’s ballgame. It will certainly be good to see him back out there for what could be his final few appearances as a Met.
The Mets are going to have a very tough decision to make this offseason whether or not they extend the 29-year old the $20 million qualifying offer, try to get him to stay in New York for a bit less, or let him walk in free agency.
Over his five-year big-league career, Syndergaard has been an above-average starter for the Mets. In 716 innings pitched, he’s posted a 3.31 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 2.92 FIP, and has 775 strikeouts.
In a corresponding roster move, the Mets have designated catcher Chance Sisco for assignment. Sisco appeared in just five games at the big league level after being claimed off of waivers from the Baltimore Orioles.
