TEMPE, Ariz. — Noah Syndergaard’s live batting practice session Thursday was significant for what didn’t happen.
He wasn’t thinking about his mechanics.
“Yesterday, I felt really repeatable didn’t have to think much at all,” Syndergaard said Friday. “That’s been the ultimate goal for me, going out there and when I’m throwing against hitters to compete and not focus on competing against myself trying to find my delivery. If (catcher Max) Stassi puts down fastball away, it’s focusing on fastball away and not ‘OK, what’s my hip doing?’ That’s going to take away from the ability to convict on a pitch.”
Syndergaard said he also threw a curveball off the mound for the first time since his surgery, part of the reason that the workout was “a huge relief.”
The rehab from Tommy John surgery includes a physical component and a baseball component. A pitcher will feel strong and pain-free long before he again has his mechanics and feel for his pitches where wants them.
Syndergaard was healthy enough to pitch two innings at the end of last season with the New York Mets, but only now is he getting back to where he wants in terms of pitching.
“I was flying pretty high yesterday,” Syndergaard said. “Granted, it was only a live BP, but it’s the best I’ve felt in a long time. It felt really crisp.”
That’s good news for the Angels, who have been desperate for more depth in their starting rotation for years. Before Syndergaard had surgery, he was one of the best starters in the majors. He had a 2.93 ERA over four seasons from 2015-18.
What he has now remains to be seen. It’s also unclear how much the Angels can get out of him, in terms of volume. Pitchers are often on pitch limits when coming off such a long injury rehab.
Syndergaard, who signed a one-year, $21 million deal with the Angels in November, said he’s “not sure” if he’ll be limited this season.
“I just want to go out there and compete as much as I can,” he said. “I know that there might be some limitations just coming off, not being able to pitch for the last two years and coming off Tommy John surgery, but I think it’s also a benefit because I haven’t pitched in two years, so my arm’s pretty fresh.”
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The Angels’ six-man rotation will also benefit Syndergaard, 29, by giving him more rest between starts than he’d have in a five-man rotation.
“If you can get an extra day of rest, I think it’s really important for me coming off Tommy John surgery,” he said. “I think it’s just gonna allow my body enough time to recover and get ready for another start.”