Mets’ Syndergaard out for season
New York Mets right-hander Noah Syndergaard will undergo Tommy John surgery on Thursday, the club announced Tuesday.
Syndergaard will miss the 2020 season and likely part of the following campaign.
Syndergaard felt discomfort in his throwing elbow earlier this month and an MRI exam displayed that he had torn the ulnar collateral ligament.
“After experiencing discomfort in his elbow before Spring Training was suspended due to the (coronavirus) pandemic, Noah and our health and performance department have been in constant contact,” general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said in a statement. “Based on the persistence of his symptoms, Noah underwent a physical examination and MRI that revealed the ligament tear.
“A second opinion from Dr. Neal ElAttrache confirmed the diagnosis and the recommendation for surgery. Noah is an incredibly hard worker and a tremendous talent. While this is unfortunate, we have no doubt that Noah will be able to return to full strength and continue to be an integral part of our Championship pursuits in the future.”
The recovery from Tommy John surgery can take from 12 to 16 months so it is possible Syndergaard could miss approximately half the 2021 season.
The 27-year-old Syndergaard went 10-8 with a career-worst 4.28 ERA in 32 starts last season. He pitched a career-high 197 2/3 innings and struck out 202.
Syndergaard was an All-Star in 2016 when went 14-9 with a 2.60 ERA and 218 strikeouts in 1832/3 innings.
Overall, he is 47-30 with a 3.31 ERA in 119 career appearances (118 starts) since reaching the majors with the Mets in 2015.
Syndergaard is the third high-profile starting pitcher who will miss the 2020 campaign due to Tommy John surgery. Boston Red Sox ace left-hander Chris Sale and New York Yankees right-hander Luis Severino are the others.
Yanks’ Stanton ‘ready to go’
Meanwhile, when preparations for the MLB season resume, New York Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton will be a full participant.
Manager Aaron Boone told the YES Network on Monday that Stanton’s Grade 1 right calf strain has made significant improvement. Stanton suffered the injury in late February at the Yankees’ spring training complex in Tampa, Fla.
“If we were ready to start spring training games, he’d be ready to go,” Boone said.
The major league season has been suspended indefinitely during the coronavirus pandemic.
Last season, Stanton played in just 18 games because of bicep and knee injuries, batting .288 with three home runs and 13 RBIs in 59 at-bats. In 2018, his first season with the Yankees, he hit .266 with 38 home runs and 100 RBIs in 158 games.
Stanton, 30, is a four-time All-Star and was the National League MVP in 2017 with the Miami Marlins.
“G’s doing great,” Boone said. “He’s been hitting now for a few weeks, but he’s now running at full speed and doing all the things necessary to get into a game.” (Reuters)