Noah Syndergaard is a well-known name in the world of Major League Baseball (MLB), having established himself as a dominant force on the mound during his tenure with the New York Mets.
However, in recent years, Syndergaard has been plagued by injuries that have kept him out of the game for extended periods of time.
Fans and analysts alike have been wondering why Syndergaard doesn’t play as much as he used to, and what might be causing his absence from the field.
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at some of the possible reasons behind Syndergaard’s limited playing time, including his injury history, current status, team decisions, and training and conditioning.
Injury History
Noah Syndergaard’s injury history is a major factor to consider when trying to understand why he doesn’t play as much as he used to. Throughout his career, Syndergaard has suffered from several injuries, some of which have been quite severe.
One of Syndergaard’s most significant injuries occurred in 2017 when he tore his right lat muscle, which required surgery and kept him out of action for several months.
This injury was a setback for Syndergaard, as he was on track to have a dominant season, having won his first two starts with a 1.73 ERA. Unfortunately, the injury put an end to his season and significantly impacted his ability to play.
In addition to his lat injury, Syndergaard has also dealt with other injuries, including a strained ligament in his right index finger, a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow, and a strained right hamstring.
These injuries have forced Syndergaard to miss extended periods of time and have likely affected his performance on the mound.
It’s important to note that injuries are common in baseball, and many players deal with them at some point in their careers. However, for Syndergaard, his injuries have been more severe than most, and they have prevented him from playing at his full potential.
Overall, Syndergaard’s injury history has undoubtedly impacted his ability to play, and it’s likely that the Mets and other teams have been cautious about overworking him to prevent further injuries.
Current Status
As of my knowledge cutoff date of September 2021, Syndergaard was playing for the Los Angeles Angels after signing a one-year, $21 million contract with them in the offseason.
However, his 2021 season had been delayed due to a setback in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in March 2020. Syndergaard was expected to miss the start of the 2021 season but was targeting a return in June or July.
It’s worth noting that the recovery timeline for Tommy John surgery can vary, and setbacks are not uncommon. Even after a player is cleared to return to play, they may need additional time to build up their arm strength and conditioning before being ready for game action.
As for any recent injuries or setbacks, there were no significant updates on Syndergaard’s playing status beyond his Tommy John recovery. However, given his injury history, it’s possible that the Angels and Syndergaard’s medical team may be taking a cautious approach to his return to the mound.
It’s also worth mentioning that with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, players’ playing status has been impacted by health and safety protocols, as well as canceled or postponed games.
However, as of September 2021, Syndergaard was still expected to return to play for the Angels in the latter part of the 2021 season, assuming his recovery progressed as planned.
Contract and Team Decisions
One possible reason why Syndergaard might not play as much as he used to could be related to team decisions and his contract. For example, if a team wants to limit his innings or rest him to avoid injuries, this could impact his playing time.
In the case of Syndergaard’s current team, the Los Angeles Angels, they may be cautious with his return from Tommy John surgery, as it’s a major surgery that can require a long recovery time.
Additionally, given Syndergaard’s injury history, they may want to limit his workload to avoid any further injuries. These decisions are typically made in consultation with medical staff and coaches, and are meant to protect the player’s long-term health and career.
From a contractual perspective, teams may also have incentives to limit a player’s playing time if they are concerned about their long-term value to the team.
For example, if a player has a history of injuries, the team may be hesitant to play them too much, as it could increase the risk of further injuries that could impact their future performance or their ability to attract future contracts.
In the case of Syndergaard, his one-year contract with the Angels could also be a factor in how much he plays.
If the team sees him as a short-term rental rather than a long-term investment, they may not be as motivated to play him as much, as they may prioritize developing younger players or preserving the health of other pitchers in their rotation.
Overall, team decisions and contract incentives can play a role in how much a player like Syndergaard plays. However, if he can stay healthy and perform well when given the opportunity, he could still have a bright future in the league, whether with the Angels or another team.
Training and Conditioning
Training and conditioning are crucial for any professional athlete, especially for baseball players who need to maintain their physical fitness and arm strength throughout a long season.
For a player like Noah Syndergaard, who has suffered several injuries throughout his career, training and conditioning are even more critical to ensure that he can stay healthy and perform at his best.
It’s possible that Syndergaard’s training regimen or conditioning could be affecting his ability to play. For example, if he is not training or conditioning effectively, he may be at a higher risk of injury or may not be able to perform at his full potential.
On the other hand, if he is overworking himself or not allowing enough time for recovery, he may also be at risk of injury or burnout.
However, it’s also important to note that Syndergaard is a professional athlete who likely has access to top-notch training facilities and coaching staff.
It’s unlikely that his training or conditioning is a major factor in his limited playing time, as his team and medical staff would likely be closely monitoring his training regimen to ensure that he is getting the necessary rest and recovery time.
That being said, it’s possible that Syndergaard’s conditioning and training may play a role in his recovery from injuries or his ability to maintain his performance level over the course of a long season.
If he can maintain a balanced and effective training regimen that accounts for his injury history and workload, he may be able to play more consistently and avoid further setbacks. Overall, training and conditioning are critical for any professional athlete, and Syndergaard is no exception.
Summarizes some of the key factors that could be impacting Noah Syndergaard’s playing time:
| Factor | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Injury history | Syndergaard has suffered several significant injuries throughout his career, including a torn lat muscle, a torn UCL, and a strained hamstring. These injuries have forced him to miss extended periods of time and could be impacting his ability to play. |
| Current status | Syndergaard is currently recovering from Tommy John surgery, which has delayed his return to the field. He was expected to return in the latter part of the 2021 season. |
| Team decisions | The Los Angeles Angels may be cautious with Syndergaard’s playing time, as they want to protect his long-term health and prevent further injuries. They may also be prioritizing the development of younger players or preserving the health of other pitchers in their rotation. |
| Training and conditioning | While it’s unlikely that Syndergaard’s training or conditioning is a major factor in his limited playing time, his conditioning and training could play a role in his ability to recover from injuries or maintain his performance over the course of a long season. |
| Performance | It’s possible that Syndergaard’s playing time could be impacted by his performance on the field, especially if he struggles or if other pitchers on the team perform better. |
Table Name: Factors Impacting Noah Syndergaard’s Playing Time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sure, here are some FAQs related to why Noah Syndergaard doesn’t play that we haven’t discussed in the previous sections:
Could Syndergaard’s playing time be impacted by his performance on the field?
Yes, it’s possible that his playing time could be impacted by his performance, especially if he struggles or if other pitchers on the team perform better.
Does Syndergaard have any chronic conditions that could be impacting his ability to play?
As far as I know, Syndergaard doesn’t have any chronic conditions that would impact his ability to play. However, he has had several significant injuries that have forced him to miss extended periods of time.
Could Syndergaard’s age be a factor in his limited playing time?
Syndergaard is currently 29 years old, which is still considered relatively young for a professional baseball player. Age is unlikely to be a significant factor in his limited playing time at this point.
Could Syndergaard’s mental health or personal life be affecting his ability to play?
It’s impossible to say for sure, but there haven’t been any reports or indications that Syndergaard’s mental health or personal life is affecting his ability to play.
Could Syndergaard be holding out for a better contract or more playing time?
Again, it’s impossible to say for sure, but there haven’t been any reports or indications that Syndergaard is holding out for a better contract or more playing time.
To Recap
There are several possible reasons why Noah Syndergaard doesn’t play as much as he used to, including his injury history, current status, team decisions, and training and conditioning.
Syndergaard has suffered from several injuries throughout his career, including a torn lat muscle and a torn UCL, which have forced him to miss extended periods of time. His recent recovery from Tommy John surgery has also delayed his return to the field.
Team decisions and his contract with the Los Angeles Angels could also be playing a role in his limited playing time, as the team may want to limit his innings or prioritize the development of younger players.
Finally, while Syndergaard likely has access to top-notch training facilities and coaching staff, his training regimen and conditioning could also impact his ability to play.
Overall, it’s difficult to say why Syndergaard doesn’t play as much as he used to, as there are several factors at play.
However, if he can stay healthy and perform well when given the opportunity, he could still have a bright future in the league.
Regardless of his playing time, Syndergaard remains a talented and exciting player to watch, and baseball fans will undoubtedly continue to follow his career with interest.
