NL East: Mets Pitcher Noah Syndergaard to Have Tommy John Surgery

While Major League Baseball remains on hiatus, some major news broke on Tuesday in the National League East.  The New York Mets have long been touted for their strong starting rotation.  Already down Zack Wheeler, who signed with the Phillies, the Mets will be without another one of their top starters.

The New York Mets announced that starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard will undergo Tommy John Surgery and miss the 2020 season.

Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen made the announcement:

“After experiencing discomfort in his elbow before Spring Training was suspended due to the pandemic, Noah and our health and performance department have been in constant contact,” said Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen. “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 Mets will have one year left of team control in 2021 before Syndegaard is a free agent.

The Mets were rumored to be entertaining trade offers for Syndergaard at the 2019 trade deadline.  Ultimately, the Mets decided to retain Syndergaard and pursue a Wild Card berth in 2019.  The Mets did not make the playoffs, but planned to make Syndergaard a key piece in their starting rotation.

The Mets signed two starters in the offseason in Michael Wacha and Rick Porcello for the vacancy left by Wheeler.  Both figure to open the season in the starting rotation.  That is, of course, when play resumes.