MLB Player News

Syndergaard underwent successful Tommy John surgery Thursday to repair a torn UCL in his right elbow, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

News of the impending procedure was reported earlier this week, and the right-hander will miss all of the 2020 season and at least part of the 2021 season while facing a 12-to-14 month recovery. Syndergaard apparently had the issue crop up prior to the suspension of spring training, though it didn't show in his numbers with an 11:0 K:BB over eight innings. Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha are in line to round out the starting rotation once play resumes for the Mets.

Smyly projects to be the Giants' third or fourth starter once play resumes, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Smyly signed a one-year deal with the club this offseason and is considered a lock to begin the season in the rotation. While his overall numbers were poor in 2019, Smyly logged a 4.45 ERA across 62.2 innings after joining the Phillies midseason while also notching an impressive 68 strikeouts. Perhaps more importantly, he proved he could stay healthy after failing to pitch a significant number of innings in both 2017 and 2018 due to injury. Now in a pitcher-friendly environment, Smyly could see improved results when the 2020 season resumes.

Anderson (knee) is ahead of schedule and should be ready to pitch when play resumes, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Anderson underwent knee surgery in June and was expected to miss the beginning of the season. However, he was ahead of schedule when play was suspended and could be an option for the Giants either in the rotation or bullpen when games return. Anderson struggled through 20.2 innings with the Rockies before undergoing season-ending surgery in 2019, posting an 11.76 ERA and 2.13 WHIP.

Webb may benefit from the delayed start to the season, as he was likely facing an innings limit, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Webb is a candidate for the Giants' fifth rotation spot after making his major-league debut in 2019. However, he totaled just 103 innings across Triple-A and the big-leagues last season, meaning he likely won't be able to handle a full workload in 2020. However, with the possibility of a shortened season looming, Webb may have the opportunity to start for the entire campaign without restriction.

Irvin was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Irvin made a trio of Grapefruit League appearances before spring training was put on hold, compiling a 5.14 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 5:0 K:BB in seven innings. Once the season picks up, the lefty is a candidate to shuttle between Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia in a swingman role.

President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said May (side) is essentially recovered from his injury, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

May was bothered by a sore side muscle for most of spring training, though the issue isn't expected to limit the young righty when play ultimately resumes. He appeared in 14 games during his rookie season with the Dodgers in 2019, posting a 3.63 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 32:5 K:BB across 34.2 innings.

The Mets may be willing to offer Stroman a significant long-term contract offer before he hits free agency next offseason, Tim Britton of The Athletic suggests.

When the team traded for the right-hander last year, the assumption was he would be a Met through 2020 before testing the free-agent waters, and that the team wouldn't do much to prevent him from walking. With Noah Syndergaard now needing Tommy John surgery, however, the Mets' pitching foundation for 2021 looks a lot shakier, and as a result Britton speculates that the team might pony up a contract offer large enough to get Stroman to forego free agency. The 28-year-old is coming off a solid second half and posted a 2.70 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 7:3 K:BB through six innings this spring, but Stroman's fantasy upside in New York would look a lot better if the team could find a way to improve its infield defense.

Matz seems locked into a spot in the Mets' rotation with Noah Syndergaard lost for the season due to Tommy John surgery.

The southpaw was competing with Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha for the final two slots and even saw some trade rumors swirl around his head this spring due to the Mets' perceived pitching depth, but Matz doesn't appear to be going anywhere now. He was also having a strong spring when MLB was put on pause, posting a 1.50 ERA, 0.33 WHIP and 5:0 K:BB through six innings.

Velasquez's odds of securing a rotation spot to open the season could take a hit if the schedule is shortened, as that could allow the Phillies to promote top pitching prospect Spencer Howard as the fifth starter at the beginning of the campaign, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Velasquez hadn't secured the fifth starter job before play was paused, as Nick Pivetta and Ranger Suarez were still in an open competition with him. Howard has only made six starts at the Double-A level, but his 34.8 percent strikeout rate, 0.83 WHIP and 2.03 ERA in 15 total minor-league starts last season offer a glimpse of his significant upside. The combination of Howard's talent and a potentially shortened season could conspire to relegate Velasquez to a long-relief role to start the season, though he'd likely be one of the first few options called upon should a starter get injured.

Taillon (elbow) has been throwing from 120 feet, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Taillon is slowly working his way back from Tommy John surgery in August. A typical recovery timeline in a typical season would rule him out for the entirety of the campaign. Even if the schedule ends up being extended late into fall, his odds of appearing still seem quite slim.