Noah Syndergaard is throwing in hopes of a late-season return to the New York Mets.

Syndergaard has been sidelined since undergoing Tommy John surgery in March 2020. The pitcher began a rehab assignment in May, but elbow inflammation then shut him down for six weeks.

Zack Scott has suggested that Syndergaard, 28, will return to the Mets as a reliever rather than a starter.

Allowing Syndergaard to work in shorter stints upon his return would reduce the amount of time he’ll need to ramp up arm strength in preparation.