Syndergaard close to returning, not paying attention to trade 'mumbo jumbo'

The New York Mets haven't received a whole lot of good news recently with the team struggling through a 4-14 June amid injuries, leaving the fan base frustrated and anxious.

But, there is some light about to shine through the dreary tunnel - right-hander Noah Syndergaard is moving closer to a return.

The towering hurler has been out of action for nearly a month with a strained ligament in his right index finger that was initially supposed to be a short-term absence. Instead, Syndergaard has sat in the dugout and suffered through the Mets' tough times without being able to help.

"It really sucks, especially because it’s really a minor injury," Syndergaard told Mike Puma of the New York Post. "It’s a finger injury, but I am working on kind of fine-tuning other parts of my game and just trying to visualize pitches so when I get back out there I am not rusty."

Syndergaard, aided by a splint on his finger, played catch in the outfield three straight days this week and threw from 120 feet prior to Wednesday's game against the Colorado Rockies, according to Puma. He said the pain has completely disappeared and he's ready to begin throwing without the splint.

Mets officials are optimistic Syndergaard can throw a bullpen session over the weekend or soon afterward. If that goes well, he would need to suit up for a rehab start before rejoining the team's rotation, Puma adds.

With Syndergaard out of action, his name (as well as rotation buddy Jacob deGrom's) has surfaced in trade rumors. Syndergaard isn't focused on them, however, instead choosing to pay attention to what he can manage.

"To be quite honest I haven’t been paying much attention to that mumbo jumbo," Syndergaard said of the rumors. "I can only control what’s in my control. If that were to happen, it’s completely outside of what I am capable of controlling."

Before his injury, Syndergaard was 4-1 with a 3.06 ERA and 76 strikeouts in 11 starts.