Mets Shut Down Noah Syndergaard, 'Pray' For Return

New York Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard is being shut down for no less than six weeks with inflammation in his right elbow, manager Luis Rojas revealed Thursday.

"It's big. We were just counting on him being here a month from now," Rojas told reporters. "This happening is tough. ... We pray he can pitch for us this year."

Syndergaard left his second rehab start Tuesday after recovering from Tommy John surgery. He pitched one inning, throwing a total of 16 pitches, but felt some soreness in the elbow. He was originally slated to throw at least four innings for Class A. St. Lucie.

Syndergaard, 28, missed all of last season after undergoing the surgery on his pitching elbow in March 2020. He signed a one-year contract for $9.7 million, meaning he is set to enter free agency this winter.

The latest setback comes after Mets acting general manager Zack Scott indicated earlier this week that Syndergaard was on track for a mid-June return to the Mets' rotation. So far, Syndergaard has thrown four scoreless innings, striking out five and allowing one hit in his lone appearance with St. Lucie.

The Mets entered Thursday at 22-20, good enough for first place in the NL East.