It appears as if help may finally be on its way to Queens.
Mets starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard, who has been battling a strain to his right index finger since May 25 when he was forced to exit his start in Milwaukee, is scheduled to test his finger and play a simulated game Tuesday.
Syndergaard's recovery has taken longer than expected. The strain to the index finger on his throwing hand is just one on a long list of injuries to the hard-throwing right-hander.
The struggling, 33-48 Mets could really use his return to the rotation, as New York has fallen apart since he suffered the injury.
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Syndergaard is 4-1 with a 3.06 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 11 starts this season. The 25-year-old has racked up 76 strikeouts in 64.2 innings, while allowing opponents to hit .252 against him.
The 6-foot-6 pitcher's name has been tossed around in trade rumors over the last month, along with teammate Jacob deGrom. While the Mets have not yet decided whether or not they will trade one (or both) of their star pitchers, it will certainly help boost Syndergaard's trade value having him back on the mound.
Tuesday's simulated game will take place in Port St. Lucie. Fellow starting pitcher Jason Vargas, who has been injured with a right calf strain since June 20th, will be facing off against Syndergaard in the exhibition match.
Vargas has not had any luck in his first season with the Mets. The veteran pitcher is 2-6 with a horrid 8.60 ERA and 1.83 WHIP in nine starts, having allowed 11 home runs and 36 earned runs in a mere 37.2 innings.
Vargas has not lasted more than 5.0 innings in any of his outings this year.