Photo by Ed Delany of MMO

Update June 22, 2:00 P.M.

The Mets are not ruling out Max Scherzer from starting on Sunday against the Marlins.

Scherzer made a rehab appearance for Double-A Binghamton on Tuesday, slating him to make his next start on Sunday. In his rehab start, Scherzer tossed 65 pitches and went 3 1/3 innings.

The current rotation is set to be Taijuan Walker on Friday, Chris Bassitt on Saturday and TBA on Sunday in Miami.

Scherzer has expressed his desire to return to the big league mound as soon as possible and that day could be near if he feels alright following his rehab start.

Original Story, Published June 21

Back on May 18th, Max Scherzer removed himself in the sixth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals. It was announced after the game that Scherzer had a “moderate to high-grade internal” oblique strain. His original timetable for return was six-to-eight weeks. However, at the 34-day mark of his recovery, he made his return to action with Double-A Binghamton Tuesday night against the Reading Fightin Phils.

Scherzer — who was caught by James McCann whom is continuing his own rehab stint — in total pitched 3 1/3 innings and struck out six hitters, five of which were swinging. He did give up three hard-hit balls which resulted in three hits and two runs. The right-hander tossed 65 pitches. Nonetheless, a fine outing.

Overall, here is how Scherzer’s appearance went:

In the first inning, Scherzer registered three strikeouts, all swinging, on 23 pitches (14 strikes). He struck out Vito Friscia on four pitches. He then struck out Ali Castillo on a 3-2 slider that Castillo chased on the sixth pitch of the at-bat. The third batter of the inning worked a full count and ultimately walked. However, Scherzer responded with getting one of the Phillies’ best prospects, Logan O’Hoppe, to strike out.

In the second, Scherzer threw a 1-2-3 inning. The leadoff hitter lined a ball to right-fielder Zach Ashford for the first out. Wendell Rijo then grounded out to Brett Baty at third base. Scherzer ended the inning with a three-pitch strikeout, swinging, of Jonathan Guzman. In total, he threw 14 pitches, 10 of which were strikes.

The third inning Scherzer allowed his first hits and subsequent run of the night. He picked up the first out of the inning via a swinging strikeout on a changeup. Scherzer then allowed the number nine hitter to line a double down the right-field line. This was followed up with another double which was just out of the reach of a leaping Carlos Cortes. Scherzer responded with getting a ground out and a fly out to end the inning. In total, he threw 23 pitches in the frame.

Scherzer also started the fourth inning. He once again got O’Hoppe to strike out, this time looking. However, the second batter of the inning, Jhailyn Ortiz, launched a deep solo home run to right field. This spelled the end of Scherzer’s rehab appearance. 

His final line read: 3.1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO, 65 pitches.

So what’s next for the future Hall of Fame pitcher? As was previously reported, if all goes well Scherzer may make his return with New York as early as Sunday in Miami. If this holds, the New York Mets will get not only a huge reinforcement, but one step closer to a potentially fully healthy rotation.

Here’s what Scherzer had to say after his outing:

Oh, and by the way, Francisco Álvarez crushed a three-run home run in the third inning. He now has 16 home runs this season for Binghamton. The Rumble Ponies led 6-2 at the time of Scherzer’s removal from the game.