New York Mets right-hander Noah Syndergaard will undergo Tommy John surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow, the team announced Tuesday.

The procedure will be performed on Thursday by Dr. David Altchek at New York's Hospital for Special Surgery.

Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said in a statement that Syndergaard first experienced discomfort in his elbow before Major League Baseball suspended spring training. After an MRI found the tear and a second opinion from Dr. Neal ElAttrache confirmed the diagnosis, it was decided to proceed with the surgery.

The procedure will force Syndergaard to miss the entire 2020 season regardless of when it begins. He won't return until April 2021 at the earliest, and it's possible that he could be sidelined into next summer.

His absence will leave a significant hole in the Mets' rotation. New York added veterans Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha in free agency this winter, and both of them are now likely to be guaranteed starting jobs when the season begins. The team will also get a full campaign from right-hander Marcus Stroman, who was acquired in a trade last July.

The 27-year-old Syndergaard made 32 starts for the Mets in 2019, posting a 4.28 ERA and a 3.60 FIP with 202 strikeouts. He has one more year of arbitration eligibility remaining.

Syndergaard is the latest star pitcher to require Tommy John surgery this spring, joining Boston Red Sox ace Chris Sale and New York Yankees right-hander Luis Severino.