Noah Syndergaard has some concerns about being around a large group of kids again when the Mets and Phillies play in Williamsport, Pa., the home of the Little League World Series, on Sunday.
The last time landed him on the disabled list last month and the right-hander is trying to avoid a repeat.
He was asked by ESPN analyst Eduardo Perez during the broadcast of the Mets’ 8-5 win over the Yankees at the Stadium on Monday, “How pumped up are you to go to Williamsport?”
“I’m hoping none of those kids have hand, foot and mouth [disease],” Syndergaard deadpanned.
He was diagnosed with hand, foot and mouth disease, with symptoms that include sores in the mouth and rashes on the hands and feet, after being around kids at a youth baseball clinic. Syndergaard missed one start because of the illness.
The Mets have not yet announced their rotation for the series vs. the Phillies, but Syndergaard, who last pitched Sunday, is likely to avoid starting the Little League Classic game Sunday in Williamsport. He is 8-2 with a 3.22 ERA this season.