NEW YORK -- Calling reports of the bone spur in Noah Syndergaard's elbow "blown out of proportion," Mets general manager Sandy Alderson confirmed Tuesday that Syndergaard would not need surgery to remove the spur.
"This one is so insignificant in the eyes of the physicians," Alderson said, speaking at the General Managers Meetings in Arizona. "It was probably blown a little bit out of proportion last year, which tends to happen around the Mets."
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After initially denying the presence of a spur altogether, Syndergaard admitted in late June to having one in his right elbow. He went 6-6 with a 2.71 ERA the rest of the way, adding seven shutout innings against the Giants in the National League Wild Card Game.
All along, the Mets said that Syndergaard's bone spur probably would not require surgery. That came in direct contrast to the more sizeable bone spur in Steven Matz's elbow, which played a role in the left-hander's September shutdown. Matz had his spur removed, and is expected to be ready for Opening Day.
Syndergaard will open next season as the Mets' only starting pitcher not coming off significant injury or surgery. He went 14-9 with a 2.60 ERA in 183 2/3 innings.