Fansided

Blister forces Noah Syndergaard out of Mets Opening Day win

By Corey Francis

Sep 27, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard (34) throws a pitch during the first inning against Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard (34) throws a pitch during the first inning against Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Opening Day baseball may have brought a win for the New York Mets, but fans are holding their collective breath. A rotation that needs their leader already faces concerns.

Not much went wrong for the New York Mets on Opening Day. A collective six runs were scored on seven hits and eight walks. All of the runs scored after the sixth inning. Still, the Mets shutout the Atlanta Braves, 6-0.

The one concern that fans of the Metropolitans hold is the health of their starting rotation. Over the last few years, the team sent several major contributing pitchers to the disabled list, while few had season-ending surgery. The trials of Matt Harvey are well documented, Steven Matz as well. Now, there is concern over their fearless leader.

Mets’ ace Noah Syndergaard has long been compared to Marvel’s Avengers character Thor. Whether it is his long, wind blown, luscious locks that flow out of his cap, or the power for which is consistently displays on the mound, the juxtaposition of the two characters is not far off. But, there may be a weakness in Syndergaard’s armor.

A blister.

That’s right. A blister is now under the watchful eyes of New York. According to ESPN.com, Syndergaard developed a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand during the second inning of Monday’s game. It opened up during the fifth inning. Even so, “Thor” pitched six complete innings of shutout baseball. He had enough power to strikeout seven Braves, and did not give up a walk.

While not a ligament or a muscle issue, blisters are major concerns for pitchers. Just ask Rich Hill, who missed months of time in 2016 due this very issue. The middle finger on the pitching hand is the last point of contact the pitcher has with the ball. It is where torque turns to spin, which produces movement. Too much pressure on the finger will generate a blister.

If the blister is not allowed to heal fully, it will only form again, and the only way for it to heal is to not use it. How long? That all depends on the person. Some people heal quickly. Rich Hill did not. Either way, New York Mets’ manager Terry Collins is not concerned.

"It’s not very big. He had it, and it popped during the inning. These guys, that’s a very common thing. They’ll dry it out the next couple days. He’ll be ready.”"

That may be true, but history says the Mets need to be concerned now. Just ask the rest of the rotation about health issues.

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