New York Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard exits rehab start early due to right elbow discomfort

NEW YORK — Noah Syndergaard left his rehab start for Low-A St. Lucie after only pitching an inning on Tuesday evening because he experienced right elbow discomfort, New York Mets manager Luis Rojas said following his team's 3-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies. 

“No one is overly concerned," Rojas said. "It was more preventative than anything taking him out after throwing one inning because of the discomfort he had. It just didn’t feel right.

"When that happens, especially on a rehab assignment that’s gone so by the book — it’s gone on point, everything has been on point — you expect that there may be a speed bump on the road there when you’re on a rehab assignment. This is one of them. But nobody is overly concerned, which is the good news that I got even though he only threw an inning."

Based on a progression schedule Rojas shared with reporters on Sunday in Miami, Syndergaard was scheduled to throw four innings on Tuesday. Syndergaard, who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, struck out one batter and walked another in a scoreless inning. He threw 16 pitches, 10 of which were strikes. 

Syndergaard will be re-evaluated, Rojas said. 

All things Mets: Latest New York Mets news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

Mets acting general manager Zack Scott on Monday said the Mets expected Syndergaard to return by the middle of June. As of now, it's unclear how far this will set back Syndergaard.  

Syndergaard underwent Tommy John surgery at the end of March 2020. His rehab progression had gone well until Tuesday night. 

The Mets — and their fans — had been counting on having Syndergaard back in the rotation. The Mets have 17 players on the injured list as of this writing, including right-hander Carlos Carrasco. 

The Mets' pitching staff has carried them this season. That's why many thought that, with Syndergaard and Carrasco, it would become even more elite. 

Tuesday recap:Jacob deGrom a dual threat in return; Hill matches the Big Unit; Vlad Jr. doing it all

'What did you expect?':Joe West booed as he sets record with his 5,376th game as an umpire

That was before Syndergaard's abbreviated outing, which leaves his status unclear going forward. 

Justin Toscano is the Mets beat writer for NorthJersey.com. Email: toscanoj@northjersey.com;Twitter: @justinctoscano.