Noah Syndergaard Illness: Updates on Mets Pitcher's Status and Return

New York Mets starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard is going to miss at least one start due to a bout with strep throat.Continue for updates.Syndergaard Won't Pitch SaturdayFriday, Sept. 23Per MLB.com's Anthony DiComo, Syndergaard is "extremely under the weather" with strep throat and the Mets will start Sean Gilmartin on Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies.According toDiComo, apotentially bigger issue for the Metsis that the illness is expected to affect Syndergaard's schedule and could knock him out of a start in the National League Wild Card Game if they make it to the postseason.Syndergaard's dominance on the mound has been a source of both excitement and anxiety for Mets fans.The 24-year-old is 13-9 with a 2.63 ERA through 29 starts. According to FanGraphs, his 10.60 strikeouts per nine innings are fourth among qualified starting pitchers.Of course, even Thor has his vulnerabilities, andhis impressive velocity is both a blessing and a curse. According to MLB.com's Statcast data, his four-seam fastball averages 98.3 mph, while his sinker comes in at98.0 mph.Since he throws so hard, many fans wondered whether arm trouble would become an issue, and that's what happened in June. He visited a doctor after experiencing elbow discomfort during his June 22 start against the Kansas City Royals. His July 8 start also ended abruptly after he started suffering arm fatigue.New York has already lost Matt Harvey for the rest of the season, and it's anybody's guess as to how his thoracic outlet syndrome will affect his performance in 2017.At 81-72 entering play on Friday, the Mets are tied with the San Francisco Giants for the two wild-card spots, and the St. Louis Cardinals are on their heels at 80-72.Syndergaard is essential to the Mets making a run in the postseason if they get in, especially with the winner-take-all stakes in the wild-card matchup. Not having their No. 1 starter available would alter their ability to advance if they make the playoffs.
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