Dial "S" for Surgery

Paraphrasing the classic 1950s Alfred Hitchcock movie Dial "M" for Murder was Tuesday's breaking news that Mets star Noah Syndergaard needs Tommy John surgery. Unlike the widely reported arm issues of fellow stars -- and S-surnamed -- Chris Sale and Luis Severino, Thor's problem seemingly came from out of left field. He'd even appeared in three games during Grapefruit League play.

As the Mets plan for however-long a 2020 season there'll be, GM Brodie Van Wagonen can take confort that he picked up free agents Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha last winter. Those moves gave the Mets five veteran starting pitchers. But it's also an ominous sign that after a 2019, where their rotation came through healthy and durable, one of the team's most important arms has been shut down before the games begin to count.


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