Noah Syndergaard has battled some minor forearm problems early this season, forcing him to be pushed back in the rotation to the fifth spot as a precaution.
He has hit a very small bump in the road once again today – he is sick and has been scratched from his third start of the year, reports Joe Krauss of SNY.
Syndergaard has made two starts for Triple-A Las Vegas and he has not been sharp. He has allowed six walks, four runs and nine hits in only 7 2/3 innings in his two appearances.
He last started against Fresno on April 18 and allowed five walks and two runs in 3 2/3 innings.
The stopping and starting cannot be helping Syndergaard, and the results are indicative of some of this unevenness. It would be a little less concerning if he was limiting the walks, especially since he’s done such a good job over his professional career throwing strikes.
It hasn’t been easy for Syndergaard since he got to Las Vegas. Yes, the Pacific Coast League is where breaking balls go to die, but people with the organization still want him to throw those pitches and not lose confidence in those pitches. Instead, he’s gotten very fastball happy out west, and very predictable as a result.
He’s close. Everyone I’ve talked to suggests it’s only a matter of time. But, it’s also important he gets to this level having ridden a successful path. So far, that hasn’t happened in Triple-A, but his success below Las Vegas is too tantalizing to forget and dismiss.
There’s clearly no need to rush him through this process – right now, it’s important for him to get on track, pitch consistently, and put the finishing touches on his development.
Just Mets 