Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Max Scherzer, Pete Alonso, Francisco Lindor, Buck Showalter, and Billy Eppler all talked to the media on Thursday night as the Mets prep to play Game 1 of the Wild Card series vs the Padres on Friday.

Scherzer Completely Healthy

The future Hall of Famer is starting Game 1 vs the Padres on Friday night and he said his lingering oblique issue is no longer bothering him. “I’m not limited by this oblique at all,” Scherzer said.

Scherzer has a 3.22 ERA over 26 appearances including 21 starts during his career in the playoffs.

Back in Black

The Mets announced that they’re wearing black jerseys on Friday at Citi Field as they have in that scenario all year.

The Mets are wearing black jerseys in the playoffs for the first time since Game 4 of the 2000 World Series.

Marte Gripping Things

Mets GM Billy Eppler said the team hadn’t decided yet on whether outfielder Starling Marte will be on the Wild Card roster, but noted that Marte is “gripping things” at this point. Marte has been on the injured list with a fractured middle finger since getting hit by a pitch on September 7.

Until Thursday, Showalter had said that Marte has been unable to grip a bat or ball because of the finger injury. The 33-year-old has a 3.8 bWAR and 132 OPS+ in his first season with the Mets.

Game 2 Starter Up in the Air

It was reported earlier this week that the Mets were potentially going to use Chris Bassitt in Game 2 of the series if the Mets had won Game 1. The move would give the Mets another start from their two aces in the NLDS against the Dodgers if they move on.

Showalter confirmed that scenario on Thursday when he said he hasn’t named a starter for Game 2 yet and that the result of Game 1 would decide the pitcher.

Álvarez Could Make Roster

Mets top prospect Francisco Álvarez hit his first major league home run on Tuesday night and later doubled in his Citi Field debut. Since that night the speculation has been that the Mets could carry the 20-year-old on the Wild Card series roster.

Álvarez would give the Mets an option against lefties with Darin Ruf and Mark Vientos continuing to struggle to produce. The Padres announced on Thursday that lefty Blake Snell will get the start in Game 2.

“He’s got bad intentions in the batter’s box,” Eppler said.