Photo by Ed Delany of MMO

Mets right-hander Noah Syndergaard pitched in a game for the time in 598 days on Wednesday, when he started his rehab assignment with the St. Lucie Mets. The impending free agent had Tommy John surgery in March of 2020 after an MRI revealed a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.

Syndergaard got the start for St. Lucie as they played the Palm Beach Cardinals in Jupiter. Thor pumped the strike zone in the first inning, striking out two in a 1-2-3 inning. Both of the strikeouts came on changeups according to the St. Lucie Mets radio guy Adam MacDonald. He threw 13 pitches with 11 of them going for strikes. He also threw a curve ball for a called strike. His four-seamer was mostly 94 and topped out at 95 mph.

After the St. Lucie Mets scored five runs in the top of the second inning, Syndergaard took the mound again exactly 30 minutes after he threw his last pitch in the first. The second inning was a breeze, two ground ball outs and one fly out on seven pitches (six strikes). Threw a “beautiful curve” that went for a called strike according to MacDonald.

Photo by Ed Delany of MMO

More of the same for Syndergaard in the third inning, he retired the side in order on nine pitches (seven strikes) including one strikeout. For the first time in the outing, Syndergaard hit 95 mph multiple times. He also threw his first slider of the outing.

Syndergaard started the fourth inning with two strikeouts including one swinging on a curve. Against his third batter of the inning, he had his first three-ball count of the day before giving up a double to break up the perfect game. He got the next batter to fly out to left field to end his outing.

Syndergaard’s final line:

4 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K, 44 pitches/36 strikes, four groundouts, two flyouts

The 28-year-old topped out at 95 mph with his four-seamer and was more consistently at that number in the final two innings. His curve was the highlight of the outing, getting multiple swings and misses with the pitch.

Syndergaard showing great command in his first rehab start is a great sign as he makes his wake back from TJS.