Mar 27, 2023; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard (43) watches the game against the Los Angeles Angels from the dugout at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: Spring Training-Los Angeles Dodgers at Los Angeles Angels
(Cleveland) — It’s been a hectic week for Noah Syndergaard.
He was ready to make a rehab in Reno on Wednesday when his phone rang, notifying him that he had been traded the Cleveland Guardians for Amed Rosario
Two days later, Syndergaard is lashing out.
“For the last two years I’ve had a lot of cooks in the kitchen, a lot of people thinking they can come out and fix me,” the 30-year-old said, according to Cleveland.com. “Some of them were right, but the translation wasn’t getting to me.
“I just think (I should) go out there and not really listen to what people think I should and should not be doing, but just do what feels good and natural to me.”
This year, Syndergaard has pitched to a 7.16 ERA, with his fastball velocity dipping into the low 90s. He also hasn’t been shy to express the mental hurdles he’s battling.
“There have been a lot of emotions [about the trade],” he said. “The balance between a lot of excitement and disappointment in myself because my time with the Dodgers didn’t necessarily go as planned. I didn’t blossom into the pitcher I wanted to be. Maybe a fresh start is all I need to bounce back.”
Syndergaard arrived in Chicago Thursday, and is expected to make his first start as a Guardian on Monday against the Astros. The Guardians are Syndergaard’s fourth team in two years.
“He’s a guy with a really good pedigree, who has fallen on hard times this year,” manager Terry Francona said.
“We asked him, ‘What’s important to you?’ So often managers and pitching coaches start out and just talk. We wanted him to talk, and he did a good job.”
