One's Back, One's Not

While this Mets season winds down under a cloud disappointment, underachievement and far too many crucial injuries, fans of the Amazins got one small ray of hope Tuesday night. Noah Syndergaard, who hadn't appeared in a game in almost two years while recovering from -- and then dealing with several setbacks after -- Tommy John Surgery, worked the 1st inning against Miami and retired the side on 10 pitches. Of course, that could also have been his Mets swan song; a free agent come November, he isn't compelled to return to Flushing in 2022.

The story was different on Jacob deGrom. Sidelined since early July by elbow pain (and an iffy elbow ligament), the club finally pulled the plug on his "building up" process. With no chance at the post-season, a winter of rest made more sense than forcing the issue -- especially with Mets ace under contract next year. Though that's hardly reassuring to fans who hoped they'd feel more secure about deGrom being ready for Opening Day, now six months and three days away.
 


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