Mets power pitcher Noah Syndergaard made his season debut on Tuesday against the Miami Marlins, his first start since undergoing Tommy John surgery on March 26, 2020. Thor pitched one inning, striking out two batters without allowing a baserunner, his fastball topping out at 96 mph.
Syndergaard received a standing ovation before taking the mound and another one after retiring all three batters.
The 2016 All-Star acknowledged how moved he was by the support displayed by the Mets faithful. Syndergaard’s start came with one day short of his previous appearance with the Mets. He was initially expected to return to the mound in June, however, his recovery was derailed by a sore elbow in May and then a positive COVID-19 test in August despite being vaccinated.
“When I was walking out of the dugout, hearing the fans, I almost had to shed a little tear,” he stated. “I’m not really an emotional guy, but it definitely got to me.”
Syndergaard will be an unrestricted free agent after the end of this year. Fortunately for Mets fans, the 29-year-old has expressed his desire to continue competing in the Big Apple.
“I’m fairly confident we’ll reach an agreement and I’ll be pitching here next year,” he said.
