If Syndergaard returns this year, he won’t be the total package

NEW YORK — Noah Syndergaard and the Mets are hellbent on bringing him back this year, even though it would mean doing so at less than full strength — as a reliever instead of a starter, sans his signature slider and perhaps without his usual high-90s fastball.

But the mere act of taking a major-league mound in a majorleague game, for the first time in nearly two years has value, pitching coach Jeremy Hefner said Friday. It would be worth it despite the absence of Syndergaard’s regular self.

That is why, when he makes his second rehab start with High-a Brooklyn on Sunday, he will continue to not throw breaking balls.

“Getting him healthy was paramount,” Hefner said. “Not throwing that pitch allows him to get back here and prove that he’s feeling good and strong.”

Hefner stressed that Syndergaard should have “a normal offseason,” including being able to throw his slider and curveball without issue.

Working his way back from March 2020 Tommy John surgery, Syndergaard is scheduled to throw one inning-plus Sunday. That means he will face a to-be-determined number of batters in his second frame, the goal being to add another “up” — taking the mound again after a half-inning of rest — to his regimen.

On Thursday, after his re-debut in the minors, Syndergaard revealed the plan to sideline his slider, noting it was the advice from two top orthopedic surgeons: Dr. David Altchek, who is the Mets’ medical director, and Dr. Neal Elattrache. They believe the slider contributed to his elbow inflammation setback in May. In addition, he said, he decided not to throw his curveball either just to be safe.

Hefner characterized the slider call as more of a group decision, citing Syndergaard and his agents (led by Ryan Hamill of CAA) plus “the doctor and our people.”

“[That collection of people] felt it was best to get him through the year, get him back healthy and feeling good,” Hefner said. “The slider does put some stress on the elbow.”