Mets top pitching prospect Noah Syndergaard will debut on Tuesday
The time is near for New York Mets top pitching prospect Noah Syndergaard.
After placing veteran starter Dillon Gee on the disabled list Friday with a mild groin strain, the team announced Syndergaard, a 22-year-old right-hander, will start Tuesday night’s game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Early indications are Syndergaard will only be needed for a spot start in between Jacob deGrom and Matt Harvey, though we imagine the Mets would be open-minded if he comes out looking dominant against one of the league’s more relentless offenses.
In five starts for Triple-A Las Vegas, Syndergaard was 3-0 with a 1.82 ERA. In his most recent start on Thursday, he pitched eight innings of two run ball on the hill, while adding his first career home run — a monster two-run shot to center field — at the plate.
That sounds like a guy who’s looked in and ready to go, and the Mets sound like they’re finally ready to see what he has to offer on the big stage.
“This is a year-plus in Triple-A,” general manager Sandy Alderson said about Syndergaard. “He’s certainly done a nice job there to date, given his last three starts have been overpowering. So, from that standpoint, we think he’s deserving, and he’ll be here to pitch.”
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Syndergaard was believed to be on track to make the Mets opening day roster this spring before he developed a forearm strain that briefly delayed his start to the regular season.
Of course, he was also the subject of veterans David Wright and Bobby Parnell’s wrath in spring training after being spotted eating lunch in the clubhouse during a Grapefruit League game. His plate was dumped and he was immediately ordered to the dugout to watch the remainder of the game.
After returning to Las Vegas, Syndergaard engaged in a spat with a “fan” on Twitter that drew a reprimand from his ball club as well.
It hasn’t been smooth sailing. Perhaps there are reasonable concerns about his maturity as well. But all of that will matter little if he proves ready to pitch in the big leagues.
We’ll have our first good indication come Tuesday.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
