Syndergaard shut down with elbow inflammation

Noah Syndergaard, New York Mets starting pitcher, has been shut down for six weeks due to elbow inflammation, it was announced today. Syndergaard has been rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, and the Mets were hoping he would be ready to be activated in June.

This is a blow both for the Mets and for Syndergaard, as it would seem likely to be August before Syndergaard can return at this point. The Mets are currently in the first place in the National League East, though with a 22-20 record, and last place Washington is just three games out of first place, so the division is extremely tight right now.

The righthanded Mansfield product was originally a 1st round draft pick by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2010, and went to the Mets as part of the R.A. Dickey trade. Syndergaard has ace stuff but has missed a fair amount of time due to injuries, and in his last full season — 2019 — he had a down year by his standards.

Syndergaard will be a free agent after the season, and I’ve mentioned him as a possible candidate for the Rangers to pursue on a short-term, high-AAV deal this offseason. Syndergaard is still just 28, and coming off a partial season after Tommy John surgery, I’m not sure he will get the type of blockbuster deal that he may be looking for to commit for five-six years, so he may be someone who opts for a big one or two year payday, then re-enters free agency without COVID and recent surgery hanging over him.