Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The cavalry has arrived.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Mets ace Max Scherzer could return to the team as soon as next week if his rehab start goes according to plan.

Scherzer made eight starts, going 5-1 with a 2.54 ERA in 49 2/3 innings. Scherzer’s last start for the Mets came on May 18 against the St. Louis Cardinals when he threw 5 2/3 innings but exited after throwing 85 pitches. It was his second-lowest pitch count this season. It was announced he departed with a moderate to high-grade internal oblique strain.

The original timetable for Scherzer’s return was six-to-eight weeks. Next Sunday would mark 5 1/2 weeks.

New York hasn’t put an official date on Scherzer’s return due to the possibility of setbacks. Heyman says people around the team are hoping he is only a week away from returning.

Scherzer recently threw a three-inning, 50-pitch simulated game on Thursday. The right-hander said it’s “possible” that he would need just one rehab start before returning.

Scherzer was asked last week if he wants to be fully stretched out for his return. He doesn’t.

“If I can get back here throwing 70-80 pitches, give me the ball,” Scherzer said.

But things can change.

“The reality is I can very easily have a rehab start, have it be tight and want to actually do it again before I go into a game, Scherzer said. “I’m very aware of working through this injury, really focused on not having a setback.”

With Tylor Megill back on the shelf and Jacob deGrom‘s return not seeming any closer, the Mets will take whatever they can from Scherzer. The key will be making sure he’s fully ready to go and doesn’t need to his the injured list again during the stretch run.