Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard has partially torn lat muscle

​The New York Mets on Monday placed ace right-hander Noah Syndergaard on the 10-day disabled list after a magnetic resonance imaging exam revealed a partial tear of his right lat muscle.

In layman's terms, the lat muscle connects the lower body to the upper body to allow for force transfer that leads to a pitcher's arm speed and ball velocity.

The Mets said there is no timetable for Syndergaard's return.

He left Sunday's start against Washington in pain, a development that came only a couple days after he said he felt fine and refused a MRI.

Syndergaard (1-2) allowed five runs on five hits in the first inning of a 23-5 loss to the Nationals. He grimaced after throwing a second-inning strike to Bryce Harper and reached for his right armpit.

Myriad injuries

The Mets' immediate concern was a strained lat. The MRI at New York's Hospital for Special Surgery revealed the partial tear.

The loss of Syndergaard comes as the Mets, in last place in the National League East, already are without star slugger Yoenis Cespedes, who was placed on the DL Friday with a strained left hamstring.

Meanwhile, first baseman Lucas Duda, out with a hyperextended left elbow, had a setback during his minor league rehab assignment and won't be activated on Monday when eligible to come off the 10-day DL. Infielder Wilmer Flores (right knee infection) also is out.

Syndergaard was a late scratch from a scheduled outing last Thursday in New York against Atlanta due to biceps and shoulder discomfort in his pitching arm. He said he felt fine after throwing in the bullpen on Friday, and he refused an MRI.

It was not immediately known if the lat muscle injury is related to the previous complaint about his biceps and shoulder discomfort.

The Mets, who open a four-game series at Atlanta on Monday night, did not immediately announce a corresponding roster move. The team said general manager Sandy Alderson would discuss the situation before the game.