Noah Syndergaard's arm feels "really good"

After leaving his most recent start with arm fatigue, Noah Syndergaard has declared himself ready to go. Syndergaard prematurely left his July 8 start against the Nationals, having allowing three runs over 4.2 innings, and was then deemed unable to pitch in the All-Star Game.

The time off seems to have done the trick, as Syndergaard told ESPN’s Adam Rubin that his arm feels “really good.” There was some concern when Syndergaard’s velocity took a noticeable dip in his final inning against the Nationals, and Syndergaard himself said that he felt as if he had “a parachute attached” to his arm. But the tall right-hander is pleased with how his body has responded to the extra rest, which included a four-day break from throwing a baseball.

While it is encouraging to hear that the 23-year-old is feeling better, the real test will occur when he gets up on the Wrigley Field mound tonight. Syndergaard is also dealing with a bone spur in his right elbow, a condition that he—as well as rotation-mate Steven Matz—have decided to pitch through.

On the season, the former supplemental first-round pick has a 2.56 ERA and a 2.04 FIP in 105.2 innings pitched. His 10.9 K/9 and his 4.0 fWAR are both third-best in all of baseball.