New York Mets: How To Handle Noah Syndergaard’s Return

The 2021 New York Mets hope a healthy Noah Syndergaard returns to his pre-Tommy John Surgery form. In his prime, Thor was one of the most consistent pitchers in baseball, and the Mets need his production when he returns. As the Mets hope to revamp their rotation, they have to figure out where Syndergaard fits when he returns.

Syndergaard’s realistic return is after the All-Star break, but any point in June is still a possibility. Even a June return allows Syndergaard to pitch a full season without worrying about surpassing an innings limit. This plan works if the Mets have four starters, with a fifth who can move to the bullpen once Syndergaard returns.

A six-man rotation or moving Syndergaard to the bullpen is also a possibility. The workload would not be a worry, and he can work as another “Seth Lugo” type in the bullpen. Syndergaard could still make a handful of starts, but if the rotation is pitching well, they can keep him in the bullpen. The last few World Series winners have a starting pitcher who dominates out of the bullpen, and Syndergaard fits that mold.

Getting Syndergaard healthy and back to his 2016 production would give the Mets a tremendous rotation. Ideally, Syndergaard wants to pitch in the rotation but showing the ability to help in the rotation and bullpen would boost his stock. In any situation, adding Syndergaard to the pitching staff is a welcomed sight.