Noah Syndergaard is scheduled to start for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Wednesday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds. Manager Dave Roberts made the announcement days after declining to answer if Syndergaard would make his next start.
Syndergaard struggled through five innings of a no-decision against the Washington Nationals, surrendering a season-high three home runs in the Dodgers’ 10-6 loss.
“We’re in it with him. It’s hard to try to work things out, figure things out when you’re in the middle of it and going through it in a big league ballgame,” Roberts said after the game.
“There were some good things and there were some things that were not so good as far as execution, swing and miss versus right. But we were one out away from getting him through that fifth inning. We didn’t convert a double play ball, and obviously he had an opportunity to put that inning to bed but couldn’t do that.
“I really don’t know what to say about the outing. I don’t. I think it’s a lot of the same as what we’ve seen. It’s certainly not from lack of preparation or effort. Right now it’s just not working out.”
But after evaluating other candidates and taking into account Julio Urías, Dustin May and Ryan Pepiot remain on the injured list, the Dodgers elected to stick with Syndergaard in the rotation.
“I think Noah certainly had an honest admission, but we want him to start on Wednesday against the Reds,” Roberts said. “When he makes that start, I’m going to feel the same way I do every time he takes the mound, that he’s going to pitch well and it’s going to turn.”
Syndergaard is 1-4 with a 6.54 ERA and 1.39 WHIP over 11 starts in his first season with the Dodgers. He’s allowed at least five earned runs in four of those outings and is yet to benefit from the long history of success Dodgers pitching coaches have in helping with a turnaround.
Syndergaard cited that factor as one of the primary reasons behind signing a one-year, $13 million contract with the Dodgers.
Noah Syndergaard frustrated to be Dodgers’ ‘weakest link’
After each of his last two starts, the 30-year-old expressed disappointment in his performance and the inability to get back on track. Syndergaard was particularly disheartened after facing the Nationals.
“I’d give my hypothetical first born to be the old me again. I’ll do everything possible to get back to that,” he began. “It really sucks. Right now I feel like I’m the only weakest link on this team.
“I’m going to go out there and compete to try and be successful with the other guys in this clubhouse. It’s just not working out.”
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