#Mets’ Noah Syndergaard return to mound a success

BOSTON — Noah Syndergaard’s return was just perfect Wednesday.

In his first minor league appearance since resetting his rehab for a second time, the Mets right-hander retired all three batters he faced as the opener for Triple-A Syracuse at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Syndergaard was replaced for the second inning by Robert Gsellman.

Mets manager Luis Rojas has indicated that Syndergaard might pitch again for Syracuse in the coming days before rejoining the major league club in the bullpen (or possibly being used as an opener).

Syndergaard last appeared in a game for the Mets on Sept. 29, 2019. He underwent Tommy John surgery in March of the following year and has been rehabbing since. His most recent setback came when he tested positive for COVID-19 in late August, delaying his return.

The Mets had initially hoped Syndergaard would return in June, but that rehab assignment ended prematurely because of right elbow discomfort. Syndergaard has been advised medically to limit himself to fastballs and changeups for the rest of this season, avoiding his slider and curveball.

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Jacob deGrom played catch in the outfield before Wednesday’s 12-5 loss at Fenway Park and is expected to throw a side session Friday in Milwaukee.

The Mets will then determine whether deGrom should face hitters in live batting practice before potentially activating him at some point in the final week for a short outing. DeGrom, who last pitched July 7, is returning from a right elbow sprain that followed forearm tightness.

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Pete Alonso hit a solo home run while going 1-for-5 to extend his road hitting streak to 17 games, dating to Aug. 16. Over that stretch, entering Wednesday, he was hitting .371 with seven homers and 17 RBIs and a 1.308 OPS. The franchise record is Jose Reyes’ 24-game road hitting streak, which was established in 2010.