The New York Mets’ starting rotation got off to an auspicious start of the offseason by signing two hurlers: Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha. There were six starters for five slots: Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Marcus Stroman, Steven Matz and the two newcomers.
The number went down to five when it was announced back in late March that Syndergaard had ligament damage in his pitching elbow, and needed Tommy John surgery. The Mets were down one man (a key piece, while we are at it) and what used to be a position of surplus was now compromised.