Syndergaard says offseason workouts 'messed up' his body

Bulking season appears to be over for Thor.

After emerging as one of baseball's most dominant young pitchers in each of the past two seasons, 2017 was supposed to be yet another leap forward for Noah Syndergaard.

Instead, the New York Mets right-hander has made only five starts, his most recent taking place April 30, when he lasted only 1 1/3 innings before being lifted prematurely.

Syndergaard, who has been sidelined since then with a torn lat muscle, said at the time that he made adjustments to his intense offseason workout regimen, initially defending it. On Friday, though, he told James Wagner of the New York Times he started the year "maybe too bulky and wiry, and not in the right areas," leading to biceps tendinitis and his aforementioned lat injury.

"So much of what I've learned this year is that I thought I was doing what I needed to be doing," he said. "But I realize now how messed up my body was, and I'm working hard to get it back to normal."

Syndergaard has since shown an interest in improving his cardiovascular endurance, and said though he won't stop lifting weights, he'll probably scrap yoga and Pilates from his regimen.

"Nobody really wants to stretch now but I've had this desire to become a more well-rounded athlete, as opposed to just someone who lifts and is strong," he said. "I want to be strong, and be mobile, hostile, and agile."

"After this offseason and after this rehab program, I don't see myself having another injury like that," he added. "I know what my weaknesses are. I know how to address them."