Noah Sydergaard Has Successful Tommy John Surgery

According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard underwent successful Tommy John surgery on Thursday. It was reported earlier in the week that the 27-year-old had torn his ulnar collateral ligament.

Syndergaard will miss all of the 2020 season and the 12-14 month recovery time means it’s possible he misses some of the 2021 regular season as well.

The hard throwing starter will be a free agent following the 2021 season.

Original Post – March 24

Jeff Passan of ESPN tweeted out a bombshell: Mets RHP Noah Syndergaard has a torn UCL and will require Tommy John Surgery. Syndergaard will undergo the surgery on Thursday at the Hospital for Special Surgery under the care of David Altchek, according to Joel Sherman on Twitter. He is expected to miss the remainder of the 2020 campaign and an early part of the 2021 season.

Mike Puma of the New York Post said Syndergaard was experiencing discomfort in his throwing elbow before spring training, at which point an MRI revealed the tear.

“Thor,” now 27, posted a 4.28 ERA, 3.60 FIP, and 3.83 xFIP in 32 starts in 2019. His fastball velocity, xwOBA, and exit velocity marks all ranked in the top 20 percent of all Major League pitchers. Syndergaard had a quality spring training, hurling eight innings of four-run ball.

This news is a huge blow to the Mets and their playoff chances in 2020. Syndergaard had a strong 2019 campaign and was expected to occupy the No. 2 slot in the Mets’ pitching staff. While there hasn’t been an announcement from the team, Michael Wacha is expected to replace the Asgardian superhero in the rotation.

In case Wacha fails to grasp a rotation spot, in-house options include Stephen Gonsalves, Erasmo Ramirez, David Peterson, and Walker Lockett. Whoever replaces Syndergaard on the staff will join a rotation quartet featuring reigning Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom, Marcus Stroman, Steven Matz, and Rick Porcello.