Noah Syndergaard threw a simulated game prior to the Mets bout with the Miami Marlins Monday night.
Syndergaard, 25, has been sidelined since the end of April and says that a return this season is important to him.
“It’s a personal thing for me,” he said. “I am getting really anxious. I spent three or four months rehabbing, and if at this point they are going to shut me down, what really was the whole point of all that? I feel I worked real hard in the rehab process and I just really want to get out there and prove I can come back from that kind of injury healthy.”
At this point, if the ace does return it might be out of the bullpen, though he feels like he can do both.
“I personally feel I can do both, but that is just my ego talking,” Syndergaard said. “But I understand and I know they want me to go out there and do my full pre-start routine, so I am able to go out there and be comfortable. If I come out of the bullpen, there is no real guarantee the time frame that I might come in. Their guy might have a quick inning, a couple of pitches, and the next thing you know I am out there and I am not fully ready, so I understand that.”
With the season dwindling down, time is running out for him to get back on a major league mound.
However, the Mets must not rush it. Unless the righty is 100 percent, there’s no reason to have him pitch in a lost season.
Original post – Sept. 18
So much rehab to do, so little time. With a handful of games left in the 2017 season, Noah Syndergaard remains hopeful he can pitch this season. The Mets are understandably hesitant, however, wanting to make sure he is 100 percent ready to go before appearing in a game.
“We’re just trying to make sure we do it the right way, without rushing,” manager Terry Collins said yesterday. “There is no reason to rush so, we’re just going to make sure we take baby steps.”
While he was originally going to appear out of the bullpen this past weekend against the Braves, that was pushed back as they want him to face live batters before returning to the Show. Syndergaard spoke with Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News about the situation.
“I am just anxious to get back. Right now we’re out of it, but for my personal well-being I want to go out there and throw and not let 10 months go by without pitching in a meaningful baseball game — I mean meaningful to me,” Syndergaard said. “Of course, just with all the injuries throughout this year, they probably want to be extra careful, but like I said, for me personally, it’s important that I get back out there.”
He is an enormous factor when it comes to the Mets 2018 contention plans, so while it would be great to see him again this season, the Mets could be cautious and just shut him down for the rest of the season. However, if he impresses in the simulated game this week and is truly 100% ready to go, don’t be surprised if you see him on the Citi Field mound before October comes around.
Before hitting the disabled list, Syndergaard was 1-2 with a 3.29 ERA in five starts, striking out 32 and walking two in 27.1 innings.
