Noah Syndergaard appears on the right track in returning to full health following an impressive rehab start Wednesday for Single-A St. Lucie in Jupiter, Fla.
The good news regarding Syndergaard’s outing, his first minor-league rehab appearance in 14 months after undergoing Tommy John surgery, comes from a scout who was in attendance. The New York Mets fireballer allowed one hit and struck out six batters across four innings. Of Syndergaard’s 44 pitches, 36 were strikes.
“His delivery looked under control,” the scout said, via the New York Post. “He used all his pitches, good job. I am not concerned about the velocity, it will come back.”
Jesse Roche of Baseball Prospectus shared video as well as notes on Syndergaard’s encouraging and dominant outing.
Syndergaard only at 93-94 with his fastball in the 1st inning
— Jesse Roche (@jaroche6) May 19, 2021
Syndergaard up to 95.7 mph in 4th. Back-to-back strikeouts of teenagers (Winn & Walker) then gave up a double to LJ Jones, but otherwise clean inning.
— Jesse Roche (@jaroche6) May 19, 2021
4 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 5 K, 44 P (36 S)
That'll do it for Thor today. I'd say a successful outing!
As Roche notes, Syndergaard opened up the start clocking between 93-94 mph in the first inning. However, he did top out at 95.7 mph in the fourth inning.
Syndergaard is expected to remain in Florida through the end of the month before the Mets make the next move. The eccentric pitcher wowed the Mets at spring training during a side session and recently admitted to relying on some seriously unconventional methods during his lengthy rehabilitation. It appears those off-the-wall efforts have paid huge dividends.
“First outing,” the scout said of Syndergaard. “Right where he needs to be.”
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