Noah Syndergaard’s Comeback: Can He Revive His Career with the White Sox?

By Oliver Wiener June 29, 2025 14:17

Noah Syndergaard, once one of baseball’s most fearsome pitchers, is attempting a comeback with the Chicago White Sox after signing a minor league deal in June 2025. The 32-year-old right-hander, known for his towering 6-foot-6 frame, triple-digit fastball, and devastating slider, has not pitched in the majors since 2023. His journey back to relevance is filled with uncertainty, but also hope, as the White Sox roll the dice on a former All-Star hoping to recapture his peak form.

A Career of Early Stardom and Injury Setbacks

Syndergaard burst onto the scene with the New York Mets in 2015, finishing fourth in Rookie of the Year voting and helping propel the Mets to the World Series. His best season came in 2016, when he posted a 2.60 ERA, 218 strikeouts, and a 1.14 WHIP across 183.2 innings, earning an All-Star nod and finishing eighth in NL Cy Young voting. Nicknamed “Thor,” Syndergaard was one of the game’s premier young arms, combining power and precision.

However, injuries have derailed much of his career since. Tommy John surgery in 2020 sidelined him for the entire season and limited his 2021 appearances to just two innings. Subsequent stints with the Angels, Phillies, Dodgers, and Guardians failed to restore his dominance. In 2023, split between the Dodgers and Guardians, he posted a 6.50 ERA in 18 starts, a far cry from his peak performance. These struggles have made his comeback with the White Sox a long shot but one filled with intriguing potential.

What the White Sox Are Betting On

The White Sox signed Syndergaard to a minor league contract, with the right-hander reporting to their spring training complex in Glendale, Arizona. Chicago’s general manager Chris Getz described the team’s approach as “creative” in managing innings and developing pitching depth, and Syndergaard fits into that framework as a low-risk, high-reward option.

For his career, Syndergaard owns a 3.71 ERA and 1.196 WHIP with 928 strikeouts in 941⅓ innings pitched. While recent seasons have been marred by injuries and inconsistency, his underlying skill set remains tantalizing. The White Sox are hoping that with proper rehab, conditioning, and a fresh start, Syndergaard can rediscover some of his earlier excellence.

Challenges Ahead

Syndergaard faces significant hurdles. His velocity has dipped since his peak years, and command issues have crept into his repertoire. The long layoff and multiple injuries raise questions about his durability. Furthermore, the White Sox’s pitching staff is already navigating the challenges of managing young arms and injury risks, meaning Syndergaard will need to prove he can contribute without taxing the rotation’s stability.

Can Syndergaard Be a Difference Maker?

If Syndergaard can regain even a fraction of his former dominance, he could provide valuable depth and experience to a White Sox rotation that has struggled with injuries and inconsistency. His ability to generate strikeouts and induce weak contact would be a boost in a division where pitching depth is at a premium.

Syndergaard himself has expressed determination to return to the majors, embracing the challenge of proving himself once again. As one source noted, the White Sox are “taking a chance that Syndergaard can rediscover some of his earlier excellence,” a gamble that could pay dividends if the right-hander’s health and mechanics align.

Noah Syndergaard’s comeback with the Chicago White Sox is a compelling story of resilience and redemption. While the odds are long given his recent injury history and performance struggles, the potential reward is significant. If he can harness his power pitching and stay healthy, Syndergaard could become a valuable contributor to a White Sox team looking to bolster its rotation.