Noah Syndergaard, a right-handed pitcher, has admitted to being the weakest link on the Los Angeles Dodgers’ team after his recent poor outing. During his last game against the last-place Nationals, Syndergaard allowed five runs on seven hits, including three home runs, which caused his ERA to inflate to 6.54. The former All-Star has been trying to make mechanical adjustments but has not been successful in his attempts, leading to concerns about his spot in the starting rotation.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has not confirmed whether Syndergaard will make his next start, and the pitcher himself is aware that his performance has not been up to par. He expressed his disappointment in a press conference, saying, “Right now, I just feel like I’m the weakest link on this team. I want to go out there and compete and be successful for the other guys in this clubhouse, but it’s just not working out.”
Although Syndergaard’s early-career exploits with the Mets earned him the nickname “Thor,” his current form is far from intimidating. He has allowed multiple runs in nine consecutive outings, except for one appearance that lasted only one inning due to injury. The Dodgers have gone 3-7 in the ten games he has started this season, which is not a good sign for the team.
After splitting the last season with the Angels and Phillies, Syndergaard signed a one-year, $13 million deal with the Dodgers, who hoped he would help stabilize the back end of their rotation. However, his recent poor performance has made it difficult for the team to rely on him.
Roberts has stated that the team needs to figure out which players give them the best chance to win on a particular day as far as starters go. He added that he is not sure about the plan for Syndergaard’s next scheduled start against the Reds next week.
Syndergaard missed all of the 2020 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery and has a 4.71 ERA over the past two-plus seasons. He went 10-10 with a 3.94 ERA last season with the Angels and the National League-champion Phillies.
The Dodgers are also grappling with injuries to their starting rotation, including Julio Urias and Dustin May. Although they have two upcoming off-days on their schedule, these injuries could provide short-term security for Syndergaard.
Dodgers’ star catcher Will Smith acknowledged Syndergaard’s current struggles but expressed confidence that the nine-year veteran would bounce back. He said, “I know Noah specifically is going to keep working his [behind] off. That’s what he does. No doubt he’ll come back at some point, whether that’s his next start or his start after that. He’s too good of a pitcher not to come back.”
Syndergaard’s poor performance in recent games has raised concerns about his spot in the Dodgers’ starting rotation. While the team is currently dealing with injuries to their starting rotation, they need to figure out who gives them the best chance to win. Syndergaard’s mechanical adjustments have not worked, and he is aware that he needs to improve his game. The Dodgers are hoping that the veteran pitcher can bounce back and help stabilize their rotation.
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