Mets set rotation for start of season, Syndergaard will start second game

Noah Syndergaard will start the second game of the Mets' 2016 season against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday, April 5. Matt Harvey was cleared to start on Opening Day after having a blood clot removed from his bladder. Harvey's clean bill of health allowed for the Mets to finalize their rotation plans.

Jacob deGrom will start the Mets' home opener at Citi Field on April 8, which is only the team's third game of the season. deGrom's start was pushed back due to the potential scheduling issues of his paternity leave, as his wife is due to give birth early next week.

Syndergaard made his major league debut on May 12 last year. He pitched 150 innings in the regular season with 166 strikeouts, a 3.24 ERA, and a a 3.25 FIP. He finished fourth in National League Rookie of the Year voting. He made three starts and one relief appearance in the postseason as the Mets made it to the World Series.