Dodgers: Noah Syndergaard situation looking untenable for full season

The Los Angeles Dodgers may have a Noah Syndergaard problem, as the starting pitcher’s early season struggles continue after start vs. Cincinnati Reds.

The Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t have the offseason to remember like they did a year ago when they signed Freddie Freeman. But, they did make a variety of signings that didn’t exactly break the bank. To add depth to their starting rotation, they brought in former New York Mets ace Noah Syndergaard, who has not had the greatest of successes in recent years. Could he be the latest success story in Los Angeles?

Entering the team’s June 7 game against the Cincinnati Reds, Syndergaard carried a 6.54 ERA and a 1-4 record in 11 starts with the team. Syndergaard lasted a total of three innings, where he allowed six earned runs on seven hits, struck out two batters, and walked three batters.

Now, Syndergaard’s ERA has ballooned up to 7.16.

Noah Syndergaard’s rough start to Dodgers tenure continues

Out of the seven hits he gave up, two of them were home runs. One of those homers was a 458-foot blast by Reds top prospect Elly De La Cruz, which nearly flew outside of Great American Ball Park.

With this start in the books, this is now the fourth time that Syndergaard had allowed six or more earned runs in a game this season. This mark is tied with Graham Ashcroft of the Reds and Kyle Muller of the Athletics for the most in MLB this season, per ESPN Stats and Info.

Syndergaard is also on the wrong side of the Dodgers’ history. His 7.16 ERA is the third-highest by a Dodgers starting pitcher in their first 12 starts in a season, per The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya. Only Hideo Nomo in 2004 (7.26) and Carlos Perez in 1999 (7.25) had higher ERAs.

The Dodgers will have a decision to make regarding their starting rotation. Julio Urias and Dustin May are going to return from their injuries at some point this season. Well, Urias will be back much sooner than May. The Dodgers called up pitching prospect Bobby Miller, who has been fantastic in his first three starts. Michael Grove has struggled a bit this season. Clayton Kershaw and Tony Gonsolin are locked in the rotation.

That will leave the Dodgers with a decision to make as soon as Urias returns. Given his struggles, how much longer can the team bank on Syndergaard returning to his old form? We’ll find out, whether that’s when Urias is activated or later on in the season when another decision needs to be made.