PORT ST. LUCIE – The arduous return of the Tommy John operation is often measured in small milestones, but Noah Syndergaard hit one of the biggest on Saturday – even if it was a small dose.
The Mets’ right-hand man threw three slides for the first time in his bullpen session on Saturday, exactly 11 months since undergoing surgery. It was the last step forward for Syndergaard in his bid to be on the hill at Citi Field again this summer.
It remains to be seen whether Syndergaard will face live hitters this spring – coach Jeremy Hefner said the date has not yet been set – but his difficult rehabilitation process continues.
“He has just started incorporating the breakpoints,” manager Luis Rojas said on Sunday. “I’m sure [Saturday] was one of the goals, a great goal. He looks physically good. He seems on the right track to be with us again when we set it up. It’s exciting to see him, but I know we have to wait until he goes through the process and comes out to us when the time of God comes. ”
Syndergaard threw another bull on Wednesday, but was limited to fast balls, interceptions and sinkers at the time.
Hefner, who underwent Tommy John twice during his own pitching career in the Mets operation, was an important voice for Syndergaard to rely on advice during the recovery process – one that Hefner did not necessarily have during his own rehabilitation journey, he said. Sunday.
‘Amazin’ But True ‘, The Post’s Mets podcast, returns Monday with weekly episodes during March.
“To live it, to follow the protocol, to understand the milestones you have to reach, in a specific order – for me I did not do well to control my intensity and my intention,” Hefner said . at the same time as Matt Harvey.
‘[Syndergaard is] a total pro. He is locked up all the time, listening, adjusting. He did everything he had to do, from a performance point of view, from a mechanical point of view to a mental point of view. … I’m proud of him for sticking to it, because it can be difficult. Sometimes when you feel good, you want to do too much, and when you do not feel good, you want to do less. But being as consistent and consistent as possible will have a better outcome at the end of this case. ”