Struggling Dodgers starter turns to unorthodox method for improvement

Noah Syndergaard is leaving no stone unturned as he attempts to reverse course on his disastrous 2023 season around.

The Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander shared this week that he has turned to hypnosis to try to snap out of his struggles. Syndergaard revealed to Jack Harris of the LA Times that several times in recent weeks he has put on an eye mask, relaxed his body and dozed off as Dodgers mental skills coach Brent Walker spoke softly to his subconscious.

“I’ll try just about any resource I have,” Syndergaard was quoted as saying. “Just to snap out of it.

“I’ve done a lot of meditation and mindfulness practices [in the past],” the 30-year-old pitcher added. “This is similar feels. It’s just like trying to get your body in a super deep state … Matching the physical side with how my mind is working.

Syndergaard also said that he believes the root of his issues lie in his subconscious, noting that he still has mental scars from his 2020 elbow injury (that injury required Tommy John surgery) and his subsequent recovery.

You can read Harris’ full article about Syndergaard’s hypnosis practice and his overall mental health journey here.

Former All-Star Syndergaard -- who signed a one-year deal with the Dodgers in the offseason -- is having a miserable year to date. In seven total starts, he has gone 1-3 with a bloated 6.12 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. Syndergaard is also managing just 5.8 strikeouts per nine innings and is averaging 92.6 miles per hour on his fastball (far below his career average of 97.7 mph).

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Wednesday that Syndergaard could potentially go on the injured list after he left his latest start against Milwaukee on Tuesday due to a large cut on his index finger.