NY Mets: Can Noah Syndergaard help save the day?

New York Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard is hoping to return this season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in March of 2020. He suffered a setback in late May and had been shut down for two months. He threw off a mound at the end of July, and he’s now throwing simulated games. He threw around 20 pitches in San Francisco on Tuesday and his fastball was in the mid-’90s.

With just weeks remaining in the season, Syndergaard is really working against the clock. Although, there is optimism that he can return in early September.

Mets general manager Zack Scott said he envisions him in a bullpen role when he returns. This will help accelerate his return. He will still need to go on a rehab assignment which appears to be 1-2 weeks away. Since he will be in the bullpen, figure it will only take a week or less of rehab for him to return to MLB.

Noah Syndergaard can make an impact out of the Mets bullpen

The Mets bullpen ranks 14th with an ERA of just over 4. Syndergaard could help them get the ball to closer Edwin Diaz, or he could even be a bridge after the starting pitcher gets pulled. Imagine having him rear-back in the 8th to hand the ball to Diaz or to pitch 2-3 innings after a starter is pulled. It would be a different look that hitters aren’t used to. Even if he’s 75-80% of what he once was it could be a huge lift down the stretch for the Mets.

With ace Jacob deGrom possibly done for the year, Syndergaard will be their last hope on the pitching front. It’s no secret they have been playing poorly going 4-6 in their last 10 games. They currently sit in third place in the NL East 4.5 games behind the Braves. This is even more significant because this could be his last action in a Mets uniform. He is set to be a free agent this offseason. Can Thor save the Mets one last time?

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Syndergaard was asked about the possibility of returning in relief, and he said “Whatever is needed of me.”