NEW YORK -- Some prominent storylines from the 2016 MLB season have magically reappeared. Two days into the schedule, Bryce Harper remains an April force, the San Francisco Giants are shrugging off a bullpen meltdown, and the New York Mets have yet another pitcher health vigil under way.
An abrupt plot twist in the sixth inning lent a touch of intrigue to the Mets' 6-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Monday. Noah Syndergaard looked dominant in his 2017 debut, then departed with a shutout in progress and only 86 pitches in the books. A blood blister began forming in the second inning before bursting in the fifth inning, and manager Terry Collins and pitching coach Dan Warthen opted for caution and told Syndergaard it was time to call it a day.