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Updated Post – June 16, 16:00
Max Scherzer threw a three-inning simulated game on Thursday. The tentative plan is for Scherzer to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday. Could be just one start, the big key is getting him ready for at least 75 pitches at the major league level, Scherzer said.
In other injury news, Starling Marte is not in the Mets lineup on Thursday after getting hit by a 97 mph fastball on Wednesday. Marte says there’s some swelling that is hindering his ability to swing, field, and throw. Marte also said that he hopes to play on Friday.
Original Post – June 14, 18:25
The Mets received some good news on the injury front on Tuesday.
Max Scherzer has rejoined the team in New York, and he threw in the outfield before running on the warning track prior to Tuesday’s game with the Milwaukee Brewers. He is scheduled to pitch a sim game on Thursday.
Scherzer has not pitched since May 18 when he strained his oblique in a start against the Cardinals at Citi Field. The expectation was that Scherzer would miss six-to-eight weeks with the injury. Since it has been just under four weeks since the injury, it is beginning to look much more likely that he return closer to the six weeks since the injury.
Scherzer is not the only Mets pitcher that is nearing a return, as Jacob deGrom threw his fourth bullpen session on Tuesday. He threw 30 pitches, and he will throw an “up-and-down” bullpen session on Friday.
DeGrom was diagnosed with a stress reaction of his right scapula on April 1 and is yet to take the mound for the Mets in 2022. He was not expected to return until mid-to-late July. With four bullpen sessions in the books, a rehab assignment may not be too far off for the Mets’ ace.
“Everything feels good,” deGrom told MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo following Tuesday’s bullpen. “Hopefully not much longer.”
Other Injury News
James McCann is also nearing a rehab assignment according to Buck Showalter. He underwent surgery for a broken left hamate on May 17, and hasn’t played since May 10. He took batting practice with the team on Tuesday.
Travis Jankowski told DiComo he is optimistic that he can return earlier than expected from his stint on the injured list. He was put on the injured list on May 27 with a left-hand fracture and was expected to miss six-to-eight weeks. He hopes to be cleared to grip a bat next week, and his goal is to return around July 1.
Colin Holderman‘s MRI revealed a minor impingement of his right shoulder, he told Newsday‘s Tim Healey. He expects to start throwing soon, and he believes he should be back after his minimum 15 days on the injured list.
