Mets Minors: Noah Syndergaard allowed 2 earned runs in 4 innings for Las Vegas on Monday

Triple-A RHP Noah Syndergaard allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits while walking one and striking out two in four innings pitched in his first start of the season on Monday night for Las Vegas.

Syndergaard, who was pushed back to the fifth game of the season and was on a 60-pitch limit after dealing with some forearm stiffness during Spring Training, threw 54 pitches (37 strikes).

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The forearm issue Syndergaard recently dealt with resulted in the team sending him for an MRI, which came back clean.

Every hit Syndergaard allowed on Monday night was a single, with the two that led to the second earned run charged against him (in the third inning) of the soft variety.

It’s not yet clear if Syndergaard will be on a strict pitch limit during his next start, which should be next week.

Thoughts:

Let’s tackle Syndergaard’s health first…

Any time a pitcher has forearm stiffness that results in an MRI (albeit one that came back clean), it’s a cause for concern.

Syndergaard had the same issue last season, was diagnosed with a flexor pronator strain, but missed very little time and was not hampered for the remainder of the season after returning. Hopefully this season goes the same way.

As far as Syndergaard’s pitching, he stated after the game that he was shaking off the rust a bit, having not pitched competitively in roughly a month.

Every one of Syndergaard’s starts will be scrutinized, but they should always be viewed through the prism of him pitching in the PCL.

Syndergaard’s ERA last year was high (but average for the league), but his FIP of 3.70 showed a pitcher who performed well. In addition, Syndergaard’s strikeout numbers were fantastic and he had a very solid 2.9 per 9 walk rate.

Regarding when Syndergaard might get the call to Queens, there is currently no opening in the rotation. Even if there was, the Mets would need to keep Syndergaard in the minors for at least another week in order to secure an additional year of team control.

Still, there’s no indication that the Mets will be calling up Syndergaard any time soon, but it’s also not a guarantee that they’ll wait until the Super 2 deadline passes in mid-June.