Mets ace Noah Syndergaard left tonight’s start due to a right hamstring strain, the team announced. The injury took place during the seventh inning, as Syndergaard came up limping after a play that saw the Cardinals’ Yairo Munoz steal second base. The right-hander was immediately removed from the game after a visit from the trainer. An IL stint seems likely, since the description of the injury as a strain (as noted by Newsday’s Tim Healey) indicates a certain amount of severity.
Syndergaard hasn’t quite pitched up to his usual ace-like levels in 2019, with only a 4.45 ERA over 95 innings for New York. ERA indicators (3.56 FIP, 3.95 xFIP, 3.96 SIERA) are a bit more impressed by his performance, though overall, Syndergaard’s K/9, home run rate, swinging-strike rate, and hard-hit ball rate have all gone in the wrong direction from his 2018 numbers. That said, most of Syndergaard’s problems took place during a rough April, and he has since largely gotten on track over his last nine outings.
If and when Syndergaard misses time, the Mets don’t have much in the way of starting pitching options to fill the void. Wilmer Font or Chris Flexen could be again stretched out, veteran Ervin Santana is down at Single-A building up arm strength, while rookie Walker Lockett is perhaps the best healthy option at Triple-A.
In the big picture, an extended absence for Syndergaard might also push the Mets to turn towards selling prior to the trade deadline. New York entered tonight’s action with a 33-36 record, 7.5 games behind Atlanta in the NL East and five games behind the Cubs and Phillies in the wild card race. Two days ago, GM Brodie Van Wagenen was still expressing confidence that his team could remain in the postseason hunt, and while there’s still a lot of baseball to be played before July 31, the Mets could start exploring the market now for potential takers for some of their veteran assets.
ouch! The Mets have had some bad luck the past few or more seasons haven’t they?
Madoff Curse
Injuries are to the Mets what Lombardi trophies are to the Patriots. Inevitable.
Season been over
When can the Mets catch a break this is getting ridiculous I want some luck to swing our way for once
Everyone deals with injuries. But not everyone has depth to counter it. The Mets just don’t have it.
get a new owner
The Mets can survive if Syndergaard only misses one or two starts. Any more than that, they gotta make a move. And, why does all media seem to think the Mets are heading towards a sell off. Can we play the next month and a half first?
deGrom for Morales
Who says, “yes?”
The YANKEES WET DREAM THINKING THEY COULD GET THEIR HANDS ON ANY MET STARTER …. 28 other teams with BETTER PROSPECTS if the Mets decide to go that way.
Go to bed.
It has more to do with the Mets would rather lose than see the Yankees win. That is why they fail.
Who once you’re broken down always starters? deGROM should demand a trade from the pitchers graveyard citifield.
Wants
It’s not even just a pitchers graveyard, it is also one for position players, as well. Why else would have Todd Frazier never been injured in his career until he joined the Mets?
The mets have a have lots of pitching talent in the minors. This is no biggie
They really don’t have a lot down there. Anthony Kay may get rushed to the majors, but everyone else at AAA had had a shot and not done well enough to stick. Locketts is probably most ready. Not sure about Mazza, but he is already 27 and through 2 other organizations. Maybe he has figured it out.
……..The Beat goes on
Sell the team please
The Mets could have a payroll of $999,999 if they wanted to.
5th straight season with time lost on the DL for Syndergaard.
Thor is made of glass. It’s a shame, too, because he has great stuff.