New York Mets Noah Syndergaard
(Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

New York Mets starter Noah Syndergaard is expected to return from the disabled list to make a start on Friday.

The New York Mets have been struck by the injury bug once again this season. Yoenis Cespedes hasn’t played since May 13, leading some to question if his signing wasn’t a mistake.

Todd Frazier just began his second DL stint of the year (and his career), and Noah Syndergaard has missed over a month with a torn finger ligament. However, the team appears to be getting good news on that front, as Steve Gelbs of SNY reports via Twitter that Syndergaard is tentatively slated to start Friday.

Assuming Syndergaard is able to get through his scheduled bullpen session unscathed, he is lined up to start the second game of a four-game series against the Washington Nationals. He made a rehab start with the Brooklyn Cyclones on July 8.

Syndergaard has made 11 starts with the Mets this season, pitching to a 4-1 record with a 3.06 ERA. He’s recorded 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings. He last pitched in the majors on May 25 against the Milwaukee Brewers.

The 25-year-old is in his fourth major league season, and he’s recorded a 28-19 record with a 2.92 ERA with a 494:90 strikeout to walk ratio in 428.2 innings pitched.

Syndergaard has been subject to trade rumors as of late as the team has struggled for the second straight years. However, it appears that the Mets thinking is to keep him and Jacob deGrom and attempt to build around the two aces.

Syndergaard has fortunately not been forced to pitch with the trade rumors hanging over his head the way deGrom has. However, returning on Friday would line him up to make at least two starts before the July 31 non-waiver deadline.

Getting Syndergaard back for the second half and letting him build confidence entering 2019 is a big deal for a team that hopes to have better luck next year.

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