Five Things We Learned From Zack Scott on Tuesday

New York Mets acting General Manager Zack Scott spoke with a pool of reporters pregame on Tuesday afternoon at Citi Field.

During his brief conference, Scott provided an update on some of the Mets remaining injured players as they progress in their respective rehab assignments, as well as the state of the Mets’ starting rotation moving forward.

Michael Conforto Activated Off Injured List

In a bit of a surprise, Mets outfielder Michael Conforto has been activated from the injured list for Tuesday night’s game against the Braves.

Conforto played in three rehab games with the Triple-A Syracuse Mets over the weekend, including all nine innings on Sunday afternoon. He went 2-for-11 with a double and two runs scored in those three appearances.

“He’s doing great. He’s actually exceeded our expectations, hit all of our expectation markers on his strength and his hamstring. He’s ready to go,” Scott said on the sweet swinging lefty coming off the injured list sooner than expected.

Conforto got off to a slow start this season, but was beginning to turn things around before hitting the IL with a hamstring injury. Before exiting the Mets’ game on May 16th against the Rays, he had reached base safely in his last 14 games.

While Billy McKinney played well for the Mets in Conforto’s absence, the return of his big bat will certainly be a welcomed one.

Updates on Brandon Nimmo/J.D. Davis

With Conforto returning on Tuesday, the Mets’ starting lineup is starting to get closer and closer to full health. However, they are still missing two key pieces in center fielder Brandon Nimmo and third baseman J.D. Davis.

According to Scott, Davis has been going through his hitting progression, and the Mets expect him to go out on a rehab assignment in the next week or two.

It has been a very slow recovery for Davis, who first went on the injured list back on May 3 with a torn ligament in his finger. Hopefully this time around he’ll have no setbacks and he’s able to return to the club in mid-to-early July.

Nimmo, on the other hand, restarted his rehab assignment on Sunday afternoon with Triple-A Syracuse. Scott said he is doing well so far, and the plan is to get him up to seven innings in the field on Wednesday night.

If all goes well, Nimmo should be returning to the big league club sooner rather than later. It will certainly be a welcomed addition to the top of the Mets’ order, as Nimmo was hitting .318 with a .430 OBP prior to landing on the IL.

Joey Lucchesi to Undergo Tommy John

Steve Gelbs of SNY reported during Game 2 on Monday night’s doubleheader that Mets left-hander Joey Lucchesi was diagnosed with a significant UCL tear.

The Mets sent Lucchesi for a second opinion, which confirmed the full tear of the UCL, and Lucchesi will undergo season ending Tommy John surgery on Thursday.

The southpaw hit the injured list with elbow inflammation on Saturday afternoon. He tossed 5.1 innings in the Mets’ loss to the Nationals on Friday night, allowing four hits, two walks, and five strikeouts.

Lucchesi struggled earlier in the year, but had started to turn a corner of late. Over his past seven outings, he’s pitched deeper and deeper into ballgames and has posted a 2.28 ERA and 29 strikeouts.

This is a significant blow to the Mets’ rotation, and Scott and Sandy Alderson will undoubtedly be on the search for pitching in the next few weeks. Scott said we’ll likely see Jerad Eickhoff again, but added the team will continue to look internally and externally for options.

“We’re going to explore all options, I’m on the phone a lot still trying to see what is out there and available for us and what the acquisition cost are. But we’re going to keep trying to find solutions  both internally and externally,” Scott said.

Internally, Scott mentioned that prospects Tylor Megill and Thomas Szapucki are throwing well for Triple-A Syracuse and are in the conversation, and there’s a chance that one of both of them may get an opportunity.

Carlos Carrasco Still Not Throwing Off Mound

Speaking of the Mets’ starting rotation, veteran right-hander Carlos Carrasco is still just doing strength work, and has not begun throwing off a mound yet.

Carrasco received a PRP injection in his leg back on June 11 because he wasn’t able to strengthen it the way he wanted. He began a throwing program, starting with throwing off flat ground on last Wednesday.

It’s been a long road back for Carrasco who first suffered his hamstring injury back on March 18 during his conditioning following a live BP session.

Last we heard, the Mets were still hopeful the righty could return to the team in July. With Lucchesi now out for the season, they’ll certainly be hoping Carrasco could make his way back as soon as possible.

Robert Gsellman Shut Down for Six Weeks, Betances Back By End of June

Prior to Game One of Monday afternoon’s doubleheader, the Mets placed right-hander Robert Gsellman on the injured list with a right lat strain.

Scott told reporters on Tuesday that Gsellman will be shutdown from throwing for six weeks, and then he will be reevaluated.

Gsellman has been playing a crucial role in the Mets’ bullpen working as a multi-inning reliever in bullpen games. The right-hander was pitching pretty well, having posted a 3.71 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over 26 innings of work.

The Mets bullpen took two huge blows losing both Gsellman and Jeurys Familia on Monday, but right-hander Dellin Betances could be nearing a return. Scott said he expects Betances could be back with the team by the end of June or early July.

It was reported earlier today that Betances was advancing his rehab assignment from Low-A St. Lucie to Triple-A Syracuse. Betances put together two solid outings, sandwiched with a poor one, in his three appearances with St. Lucie.