Mets injury news: Noah Syndergaard to throw off mound

Noah Syndergaard was, in fact, in San Diego for the MLB All-Star Game, though you couldn’t be blamed for missing him, since manager Terry Collins didn’t get him into the game and there was only an impostor of him available at All-Star FanFest.

Not exactly what you’d expect for the top pitcher on Keith Law’s “Top 25 Under 25” list in a normal year, but Syndergaard’s health issues leading up to the 2016 season’s midpoint have been well documented. Despite those obstacles, Syndergaard will reportedly be throwing again soon.

Like fellow Mets starter Steven Matz, Syndergaard was said to have been experiencing a bone spur in his throwing arm, something the 23-year-old did not seem excited to admit. Next, a significant drop in velocity in his last start on July 8, when he gave up three runs and three walks to the Nationals in 4.2 innings and 75 pitches, turned out to be due to “dead arm,” the most funereal of baseball’s maladies.

Things looked grim, but just days ago, Jon Heyman said that Syndergaard was feeling “no pain” and would be making the fifth start of the Mets’ second half in order to get as much rest as possible without missing time. Prior to his ASG non-appearance, he was cleared for a toss, which went well and got him the green light for Friday’s more formal drill.

With a 2.56 ERA over 105.2 IP, hitters are only batting .243 against Syndergaard, making him a big part of the Mets’ pool of effective young starters. His health will remain a factor for the already depleted Mets moving forward.