Mets ace Noah Syndergaard skips MRI, will pitch Sunday

Noah Syndergaard will make his start on Sunday after missing Thursday.

The reason for Syndergaard missing Thursday’s start against the Atlanta Braves was due to “biceps tendinitis.” This diagnosis was a pretty big scare for both Syndergaard, the Mets, and their fans.

When the Mets announced Syndergaard’s start was scratched, everyone was in fear, and eager to know the seriousness of the injury. The Mets have been depleted with injuries all year, and it really has not come to help the struggling Mets team who lost 10 out of their last 11 games heading into DC.

It also cannot be forgotten that because of Syndergaard’s late scratch, it resulted in Matt Harvey finding out that he was that day’s starting pitcher just three hours before the game… that’s absurd! Therefore, Harvey, without blame, had his worst start of the season.

In addition to the apprehension of the severity of Thor’s injury, we all know that he is the ace of the rotation. It just feels like every game he pitches, he completely dominates the other team and leads the Mets to victory.

However, Terry Collins stated that Syndergaard will make his start tomorrow, a sigh of relief for everyone.

When addressing the media, Collins said:

"“He feels great. His ‘pen went great. We waited until the middle of the game to talk to him about it and there was absolutely no discomfort, so he will pitch Sunday.”"

This statement is encouraging, and it is very good to see that Thor is ready to go.

It cannot be forgotten though that Syndergaard, before being cleared to pitch tomorrow, refused to have an MRI. The injury bug has been recurring, especially on Thursday when their slugger, Yoenis Cespedes, was taken out of the game, and now on the DL. The organization took too many chances with him and his ailing hamstring. That gives reason as to why the Mets should have done an MRI with Syndergaard, just to be safe, and not take any chances with the team’s best pitcher.

Syndergaard, in response to the shock of why he declined the MRI said,

"“I think I know my body best. I think I’m pretty in tune with my body that’s why I refused to take the MRIs, I knew that there was nothing happening in there and that’s encouraging to know. I’m ready to pitch on Sunday.”"

While it is encouraging that Syndergaard appears confident and ready to go on Sunday, it will really hurt both him, the Mets, and the rotation if he ends up feeling more stiffness after his start.

Next: Duda to begin rehab assignment, Flores ‘not far behind’

For now, all we can do is hope that Thor will be okay, and that the injury bug goes away.