NEW YORK -- Mets righthander Noah Syndergaard was faced with another obstacle in his recovery after Tommy John surgery Sunday. He was removed from a rehab program because he had tested positive for COVID-19 according to multiple reports.
New York manager Luis Rojas said Sunday that Syndergaard had a "non-baseball-related injury." He confirmed that Syndergaard had been vaccinated.
Syndergaard, who turned 29 on Sunday, tweeted: "This birthday was so sick."
This birthday is so sick. pic.twitter.com/EqGqwWUF1T Noah Syndergaard (@Noahsyndergaard) August 29, 2021
Syndergaard hasn't pitched in major leagues since Sept. 29, 2019. He had surgery right after the March 2020 pandemic. He started a rehab assignment in spring, but he was unable to make his second start at Low-A St. Lucie because of right elbow inflammation.
Syndergaard is set to become free agent after the season. He didn't pitch again until Thursday night's rehab outing when he gave up just one run. He said that he didn't throw his curveball or slider because he was concerned about his elbow.
The Mets hope Syndergaard will be able to return to the team as a relief pitcher, since there is not enough time to make Syndergaard a starter. For Single-A Brooklyn, he was expected to throw at most one inning.
Newsday first reported Syndergaard's positive result.
This report was contributed by The Associated Press.
