Dodgers Unsure of Next Step with Noah Syndergaard; IL Possible

After a 9 game respite, Noah Syndergaard made his return to the mound… and lasted one inning. The Dodger right-hander was forced to exit the game after just 20 pitches after a cut on his right pointer finger opened up and got a little too bloody to grip the ball cleanly with, according to the pitcher.

Dave Roberts referred to the injured digit as “nasty” while talking about what could come next for Syndergaard. Including, perhaps, a stint on the injured list.

“I think we’ll know more in the next couple of days. He’s had it (his past three starts) and has put stuff on it to keep it at bay. Tonight, it just didn’t take. … Certainly the IL is a possibility but I want to give Noah and the training staff some time before we make that decision.”

If the team does opt to put Syndergaard on the IL, Gavin Stone would be ready to step into his spot in the rotation once again. The rookie right-hander started at Triple-A on Tuesday night allowing 2 hits and a run over 5.1 innings. He struck out 7 batters. Additionally, fellow rookie right-hander, Michael Grove, is on the comeback trail after throwing a live BP session at the team’s training complex in Arizona. He faced J.D. Martinez among others as he makes his way back from a groin injury that landed him on the IL nearly three weeks ago.

Considering Syndergaard has been apparently dealing with this issue for a number of weeks, and he says the issue isn’t something that’s painful for him, there’s a chance Roberts gives the starter another turn through the rotation. The club might need to try a wound glue a bit stronger than Dermabond if they do give him another go.