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Mets GM Sandy Alderson chose to start Noah Syndergaard despite injury

Mets GM Sandy Alderson chose to start Noah Syndergaard despite injury

Mets GM Sandy Alderson chose to start Noah Syndergaard despite injury

Sandy Alderson is taking responsibility for Noah Syndergaard's partial tear in his right lat muscle.

The Mets general manager on Monday admitted it was his choice to start the ace in Sunday's game against the Nationals despite his refusal to have an MRI on his injured shoulder just a couple days earlier.

"It was my decision for Noah to pitch with input with [a] variety of different sources," Alderson said Monday, via ESPN. "The MRI was not dismissed out of hand, and we had to evaluate the situation. ... From the overall standpoint, it is not to say things couldn't have been done differently. From my standpoint, I made the decision."

The team was forced to scratch Syndergaard ahead of last Thursday's scheduled start against the Braves with biceps and shoulder discomfort. Manager Terry Collins told reporters the right-hander was dealing with a "tired arm" and Syndergaard was slated to have an MRI on Friday, though he opted not to have one after throwing a bullpen session.

Syndergaard was forced to leave Sunday's 23-5 loss to the Nationals in the second inning due to the injury and was later placed on the 10-day disabled list. While there is no timetable for his return, Alderson acknowledged the severity of the injury and said, "I think it's going to be a considerable amount of time."

Syndergaard, 24, is 1-2 so far this season with a 3.29 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 27 1/3 innings pitched.