DENVER -- Even now, almost four full weeks since his last appearance in a Major League game, Noah Syndergaard refers to the strained ligament in his right index finger as "minor." When told Wednesday that nearly a month has passed since the last time he pitched, Syndergaard paused and asked, "Has it been that long?"
It has, and will be a while yet before he returns. Although Syndergaard began a throwing progression off flat ground this week, he did so with a modified splint on his index finger. Syndergaard said that while he is not ready to begin pitching off a mound, doctors may clear him to throw without the splint when they examine him later this week in New York.