ATLANTA -- Dr. Neal ElAttrache's second opinion on Mets starter Noah Syndergaard's strained right lat muscle was "all positive," according to a source.
Neither Syndergaard nor the Mets had revealed specifics of ElAttrache's medical opinion as of Thursday evening. But the fact that it was a positive update indicates there is nothing worse than a simple muscle tear.
Historic precedent indicates Syndergaard will be sidelined around two months, with his recovery possibly stretching into a third month. The Mets won't have a better idea of his timetable until the muscle heals and allows him to restart baseball activities. That process, general manager Sandy Alderson said, will take "a matter of weeks," not days.
Syndergaard initially injured his lat in Sunday's 23-5 loss to the Nationals, three days after the Mets skipped his start due to right biceps discomfort. The right-hander declined an MRI on his biceps at the time, but went for one on Monday morning, which revealed the tear. Three days later, he traveled to California for a second opinion from ElAttrache.
In five starts this season, Syndergaard is 1-2 with a 3.29 ERA, 32 strikeouts and two walks in 27 1/3 innings. Rafael Montero is scheduled to start in his place Friday night against the Marlins.