Syndergaard to make 1st start since April on Saturday

Noah Syndergaard's long-awaited return to a big-league mound will indeed happen this season.

Thor will make his first start for the New York Mets since Apr. 30 when he squares off against the Washington Nationals on Saturday, general manager Sandy Alderson announced Friday.

Syndergaard will pitch one inning and be followed in relief by teammate Matt Harvey, who was originally scheduled to make the start.

The 25-year-old Syndergaard has been out of action with a torn right lat muscle and made just five starts for the Mets before hitting the disabled list.

In those five starts, he went 1-2 with a 3.29 ERA across 27 1/3 innings, striking out 32.

During his three seasons in the majors, Syndergaard is 24-18 with a 2.92 ERA and 1.10 WHIP while striking out 10.4 hitters per nine innings.