The Mets were hit with a pair of troubling injuries today, as Noah Syndergaard exited the game after six innings because his right elbow “flared up” (via MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo) and Yoenis Cespedes exited with a wrist injury (per ESPN New York’s Adam Rubin). Both players are being evaluated by doctors this afternoon, and the extent of their respective injuries remains unclear for the time being. However, manager Terry Collins conceded to Rubin that the Cespedes issue “is a concern,” as Cespedes dealt with a similar issue in 2015. And, as DiComo points out, Syndergaard has already experienced elbow discomfort once this season, although he didn’t miss a start. Certainly, the loss of either player for even a couple of weeks would be a notable blow to the Mets, who currently trail the Nationals by four games in the NL East.
As we await further word on the Mets, here are some more notable injury storylines from around the game…
- The Rangers announced today that Derek Holland has been placed on the 15-day disabled list due to inflammation in his left shoulder. Texas didn’t include any sort of timeline, though the press release announcing the move did reference the fact that he’s eligible for activation on June 6. Holland has struggled quite a bit of late, and his 5.20 ERA is especially troubling due to the fact that his K/9 rate (5.3), BB/9 rate (3.1), ground-ball rate (36.2 percent) and average fastball velocity (91.8 mph) have all trended in the wrong direction this season. Knee and shoulder injuries have plagued Holland over the past two seasons; this year’s 72 2/3 innings are already the most he’s thrown in a big league season since 2013. The Rangers brought up right-hander Luke Jackson to take his place on the active roster.
- UPDATED: Manager Joe Maddon said following today’s game that Cubs catcher Miguel Montero checked out OK after being forced to exit the contest with a knee injury (via ESPN Chicago’s Jesse Rogers, on Twitter). Montero initially sustained a right knee injury after Brandon Moss slid into home on a play at the plate following a chopper to third base. (That’s not to say Moss’ slide was dirty, as he slid into the lane left open by Montero, as can be seen in the MLB.com video of the play.) Montero was able to walk to the mound and back to home plate under his own power, though he was visibly limping and wincing. Willson Contreras, who was recently promoted from Triple-A Iowa, entered the game in Montero’s place and hit a two-run homer in place of Montero. An injury to Montero would’ve likely opened the door for more playing time for the top prospect, but Contreras will continue to be worked in alongside Montero and veteran David Ross.
- MLB.com’s Adam Berry tweets that Gerrit Cole will not be rejoining the Pirates on the first day that he’s eligible to be activated from the DL. Cole has been playing catch but has yet to throw off a mound as he works his way back from a strained triceps muscle. Cole’s DL stint was backdated to June 11.
Mets just can’t catch a break with their young pitching staff and injuries.
What (to me) this year could have been a possible ’71 O’s rotation heading into the season is starting to disintegrate a starter at a time and it’s really a shame. That offense wasn’t going to carry them anyplace, it’s always been the front 4 or bust. They really need some magic to happen fast, or magical healing at least.
Looks like Tj for synder
Inflammation of the elbow does not mean 100% that TJ surgery is a solution. Lots of moving parts in the elbow and various items will determine what the course of action is.
When I read “swelling” my reaction was of something fairly severe. General “inflammation” or “discomfort”, while being cause for concern, are often used after mild injuries. “Swelling” to me is a different type of description. Torn tendons, cartilage, ligaments, and loose bodies are among common causes for swelling in a joint.
My outside interpretation is that Syndergaard is just experiencing some forearm tenderness, something more minor than even a forearm strain, given that “no structural damage was found.” It seems that the Mets take a lot of precautionary steps with their young arms and tell them to be very vocal about how they are feeling. It’s understandable that he can put a lot of stress on his elbow, given how hard he throws.and this may be something he will continue to deal with on an occasional basis.
I didn’t see Moss “slide into” Montero’s leg. The insinuation suggests some kind of egregious intent (nowadays concerning collisions at home plate).
Montero’s right leg was in fair territory, and Moss slid to Montero’s left in foul territory.
This is a Cubs fan ran site. Everything on here is biased.
I wasn’t suggesting that. I was pointing out that talking about sliding into a person’s appendage may have intent associated with it. Considering the fact that Moss didn’t slide into Montero’s right leg (and perhaps not at all) the account of the incident should be scrutinized.
That is awesome. Best comment today.
What ever this is a MLB site
That’s fair — the intent, of course, was not to imply anything dirty on Moss’ behalf. I can tweak the wording to better convey that.
I wasn’t implying that you purposefully worded it that way, but I think it’s important to convey the truth with a cognizance of how intent may be concluded by words like “sliding into [insert body part] at home”.
Here’s hoping NS is okay, terrible seeing young talent going down with injuries. All the best to NS.
Hopefully this isn’t TJ. That’d make the mets 5/5 I believe.
Has Syndergaard already had TJ surgery one time before ?
As of now, no.
I can NOT wait until Derek Holland is no longer a Ranger!