New York Mets starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard was an All-Star in 2016. Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Noah Syndergaard to undergo Tommy John surgery

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated 3/24/20

The New York Mets’ hopes of contending once baseball starts up took a huge hit Tuesday.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, pitcher Noah Syndergaard has a torn UCL in his right elbow, and will need to undergo Tommy John surgery that will likely keep him out into 2021.

New York Mets starter Noah Syndergaard has a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and is expected to undergo Tommy John surgery in the near future, sources tell ESPN. The procedure will keep him out until at earliest April 2021 and likely into the summer months.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 24, 2020

This is an awful blow for the Mets, who are losing their second-best pitcher. Even though he’s coming off a down year, Syndergaard is a former All-Star who can carry a staff. Unfortunately, health has been a major issue for him in recent seasons.

Syndergaard becomes the second big-name pitcher to need Tommy John surgery this month, despite the fact no games are being played.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: