https://www.instagram.com/p/BXjq25LgJVA/?hl=en&taken-by=nsyndergaard
In typical Mets news, ace pitcher Noah Syndergaard is headed to the disabled list two days after beating the Yankees in his first start after the All-Star Break. While this may sound terrible, Mets fans can rest easy knowing the injury doesn’t involve Thor’s elbow, forearm or shoulder, but a mere case of hand, foot, and mouth disease.
Seriously.
The New York Times’ James Wagner tweets Thor possibly contracted the disease while volunteering at a kids camp, because bad things just happen when you play for the other New York team:
Noah Syndergaard is going on the DL with hand, foot & mouth disease. Possible he picked it up working at a kids camp over the all-star break. Perhaps why he had diminished velocity and was tired on Friday. Assistant GM John Ricco said they expect it perhaps to be just one start.
— James Wagner (@ByJamesWagner) July 22, 2018
MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo adds he was dealing with blisters and had trouble breathing during his start against the Yankees:
Mickey Callaway says Syndergaard has blisters on his hands because of the disease. During his last start, Syndergaard had trouble breathing. "He was just weak, run down. I think the virus just took its toll."
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) July 22, 2018
An overview of the illness from the Mayo Clinic for those unfamiliar with it:
Hand-foot-and-mouth disease — a mild, contagious viral infection common in young children — is characterized by sores in the mouth and a rash on the hands and feet. Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is most commonly caused by a coxsackievirus.
There’s no specific treatment for hand-foot-and-mouth disease. Frequent hand-washing and avoiding close contact with people who are infected with hand-foot-and-mouth disease may help reduce your child’s risk of infection.
Thor going on the DL is an appropriate way to cap what has been a deflating weekend for Mets fans. The team, of course, traded lights out closer Jeurys Familia to the Athletics for two non-prospects and cash Friday.
