MESA, Ariz. -- Right-hander Noah Syndergaard, who joined the Angels on a one-year deal worth $21 million in November, said Friday that he was encouraged by Thursday's live bullpen session and that his injury concerns are fully behind him after his Tommy John surgery in March 2020. 

Syndergaard, 29, threw just two innings last year with the Mets, as he spent most of the season rehabbing his surgically repaired right elbow and went through a few setbacks along the way. But he said he’s now able to throw all of his pitches without any worries about his elbow or mechanics, and everything went well when he threw to a group of hitters that included two-way star Shohei Ohtani on Thursday. 

“Yesterday was actually the first day I threw a curveball off the mound [against hitters],” Syndergaard said. “It was a huge relief. Last year, I was still tinkering and didn’t feel comfortable with my mechanics. And yesterday, it was really repeatable, and I didn’t have to think much at all.”

Syndergaard said he’s not sure when his first Cactus League start will come, but Thursday was a step in the right direction. He said he has been able to get through the mental hurdles of Tommy John surgery and is finally on track with his mechanics as well. 

"The ultimate goal for me is going out there and when I'm throwing against hitters, to compete and not focus on really competing against myself trying to find my delivery," Syndergaard said. "If [catcher Max] Stassi puts down fastball away, I'm focusing on fastball away and not what my hip is doing or that kind of thing, because that's going to take away from the ability to have conviction on a pitch." 

Syndergaard also added that he’s not sure how limited his innings total will be this season, as it’s something the Angels and his agent will continue to monitor. But he believes that being part of a six-man rotation will help keep his innings more manageable. 

“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,” Syndergaard said. “But it's also a benefit because I haven't pitched in two years, so my arm is pretty fresh.” 

The 6-foot-6, 242-pounder is known to be an intimidating presence on the mound, and he posted a 3.32 ERA with 777 strikeouts in 718 innings in six years with the Mets. He finished fourth in the balloting for the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 2015 and was an NL All-Star in '16. He threw a career-high 197 2/3 innings in '19 but missed the '20 season after suffering a torn ulnar collateral ligament during Spring Training.

Syndergaard was extended the $18.4 million qualifying offer by the Mets after the season, but he declined it and signed with the Angels for $2.6 million more. He again indicated he enjoyed his time in New York but was ready for a fresh start after his surgery. He said he appreciated the low-key feel of being with the Angels and the atmosphere manager Joe Maddon has helped create in the clubhouse.

“I had been with the Mets for a long time, and it was a great eight years in that organization,” Syndergaard said. “Playing in New York isn’t the easiest, but I feel like I embraced it and was able to adapt to that environment. But coming off two years of not pitching and this being arguably the most important year of my career, I just need a lot of stress off my shoulders. Joe has an awesome clubhouse and it’s a lot of fun and loose, but it’s definitely time to get down to business.”