NEW YORK -- Top pitching prospect Noah Syndergaard has been placed on the disabled list and will be dispatched to New York for an examination with team doctors after being diagnosed with a flexor pronator strain in his right elbow.
The injury can be a precursor to Tommy John surgery, but the Mets portrayed the injury as "mild" and not overly concerning.
"At this point we don't have a high level of concern," general manager Sandy Alderson said Monday afternoon. "But anytime the forearm is involved we like to have it looked at. So we're flying him back. He will be seen tomorrow and we'll have further information at that time."
Syndergaard tweeted early Tuesday morning that he expects to be OK.
Not exactly how I pictured my trip to New York this summer to be, but no need to worry folks. I'll be just fine. Thank you everyone!
- Noah Syndergaard (@Noahsyndergaard) May 27, 2014
Syndergaard, 21, had been 5-2 with a 4.02 ERA in 10 starts with Triple-A Las Vegas this season. He last pitched Wednesday.
"I don't believe it's something that's been significant over the last few starts," Alderson said. "This was following his last start. But I'm not going to tell you categorically that it hasn't existed before. I just don't know the precise answer to that question."
He was acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays with catcher Travis d'Arnaud and minor league outfielder Wuilmer Becerra for knuckleballer R.A. Dickey on Dec. 17, 2012.
