New York Mets: Noah Syndergaard’s return delayed by COVID

Noah Syndergaard was already running out of time to return to the New York Mets. His first rehab attempt was shut down after two outings due to elbow inflammation. He had finally found his way back to the mound on Thursday, pitching an inning as the Mets hoped to bring him back as a reliever.

Those hopes have now taken another hit. Syndergaard has been shut down again, this time because he has tested positive for COVID.

Noah Syndergaard’s return to the New York Mets delayed once again

Time is clearly running out for Syndergaard to make any sort of impact on the Mets this season. He will be shut down once again, and will need to ramp back up once he is cleared to return. Depending on how long that takes, Syndergaard may not be able to find his way back to the majors this season.

The Mets were already facing a tough decision when it comes to Syndergaard. He is eligible for free agency for the first time, but has not been on a mound in nearly two years. When he has been healthy, he has been a top of the rotation caliber arm, but even before his Tommy John surgery, his health was questionable at best.

This makes the Qualifying Offer a gamble for the Mets. In Syndergaard’s case, he may well take such an offer, using that one year payout as a way to prove that he can be the pitcher he once was. However, for the Mets, there is no guarantee that he will be able to live up to that salary.

Such questions make this final month all the more important. Syndergaard needs to show that he is healthy, even if it is as a reliever. Those outings could make a difference, either regarding the Qualifying Offer, or for his fate in free agency. But time is running out for Syndergaard and the Mets.

Noah Syndergaard has seen his return to the New York Mets be delayed once again. This time, it is due to a positive COVID test.