Syndergaard leaves start in 2nd with 'possible' lat injury

This is the New York Mets' worst nightmare.

Noah Syndergaard was removed from his start versus the Washington Nationals after just 1 1/3 innings with an apparent injury. Syndergaard grabbed underneath his right arm in noticeable pain following each of his final two pitches, and left the game aided by Mets staff.

The Mets described Syndergaard's injury as a "possible lat strain." He's left the team and is returning to New York, where he'll undergo an MRI.

The injury comes just one day after Syndergaard refused to undergo an MRI despite missing a start due to a biceps issue that was initially described as a "tired arm."

"I'm pretty in tune with my body," Syndergaard said on Saturday when asked about his refusal of the test. "That's exactly why I refused to take the MRI. I knew there was nothing happening in there."

Before leaving Sunday's game, the 24-year-old tied his career worst single inning by allowing five earned runs in the opening frame.

Syndergaard is the latest Met to suffer an injury this month, continuing what's become a dreadful string of games for the quickly sinking Queens club. Star slugger Yoenis Cespedes hit the DL this week with a hamstring injury, and he joined a laundry list of Mets who were already disabled, including pitcher Steven Matz, first baseman Lucas Duda, and outfielder Brandon Nimmo.