Just a few days after refusing an MRI on his achy righty biceps, Mets right-hander Noah Syndergaard left Sunday's start against the Nationals (GameTracker) with an injury in the second inning.
Syndergaard pointed to his biceps while on the mound talking to trainer Ray Ramirez, though the Mets say it's a possible lat strain.
Mets say "possible lat strain" for Syndergaard. He is headed back to New York for an MRI exam.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) April 30, 2017
Syndergaard was originally scheduled to start Thursday's game, but had it pushed back due to the biceps. A few days later he said he felt "great," and would make his scheduled start Sunday.
Mets GM Sandy Alderson told reporters on Saturday, "I can't tie him down and throw him in the (MRI) tube," which is correct. The Mets can't force Syndergaard to get an MRI any more than your employer can force you to get an MRI.
Still, the Mets have had injury problems for years and years -- they're well known for downplaying injuries -- and Syndergaard is their franchise pitcher. Perhaps a little more caution was warranted, such as giving him more time to rest.
Syndergaard was punished for five runs in the first inning of Sunday's game. Baseball Savant says his sinker averaged a healthy 99.5 mph, so if the biceps bothered him, it didn't show up in the velocity.
