After getting an invite to pitch for USA in the World Baseball Classic this upcoming March, New York Mets ace Noah Syndergaard has opted not to participate.
According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, “Noah Syndergaard’s spring will not include a detour to the World Baseball Classic.”
After enjoying a dominant first two seasons in the big leagues, the New York Mets 24-year-old right-hander who some call “Thor” got an invite to participate in this year’s World Baseball Classic in March.
However, Syndergaard has decided not to participate in the quadrennial event as his main focus this Spring is to get himself prepared for the upcoming 2017 season. Syndergaard is going to be the man the Mets will most likely heavily rely on in 2017 as he is the only starting pitcher who is expected to be in the opening day rotation who is not coming back from a season-ending surgery.
“Noah feels his performance the past two years is in large part due to his offseason and spring workout routines,” agent Ryan Hamill said in a statement. “After consulting with the Mets, and given the injuries that plagued their rotation last year and his role on the team moving forward, both Noah and the Mets feel it is important to stay in his established routine.
So far, throughout his baseball career at all levels, Syndergaard has been lucky not to have suffered any serious injuries and the Mets need to make sure that it stays that way if they are going to be successful in 2017.
Syndergaard had a very effective year last season for the Mets despite pitching through a minor bone spur in his right elbow during parts of the year which had a negative effect on his performance at times. To make sure Syndergaard is healthy and fully ready to go in 2017, it would be best to just have him stick with the team during Spring Training.
Although it would be exciting to see him represent the Mets on the USA team this year, Syndergaard is making a good team decision here by sticking with the Mets this Spring to help prepare for a crucial season.
