Noah Syndergaard Faces Live Hitters and Other Rehab Notes

Luis Rojas provided a slate of notes regarding the team’s rehabbing pitchers ahead of Saturday’s game.

First and foremost, Noah Syndergaard faced live hitters in an intrasquad game for the first time since his Tommy John surgery. Syndergaard pitched one inning and touched 97 miles per hour, according to a report from Anthony DiComo.

Syndergaard now seems fully in line for his return sometime in June, needing to build his innings against live hitters and (likely) work on his control.

Carlos Carrasco, who’s been working back from a torn right hamstring since spring training, pitched four innings in the same game on Saturday. Rojas predicted Carrasco could return during the second week of May if his rehab continues to progress without any issues.

Without any other alterations to the schedule (we’ll see about that), the Mets will need a fifth starter next on May 4 (at the Cardinals) and May 9 (home vs. Diamondbacks). Those seem like nice opportunities to bring Carrasco back.

Rojas also said Drew Smith was scheduled to pitch in today’s intrasquad game, so it appears he will be able to return from his shoulder soreness soon so long as he suffers no setbacks.

Finally, the team snuck Dellin Betances onto the 60-day injured list before Saturday’s game, which frees up a 40-man roster spot. This move would put Betances out until at least the beginning of June.