Pat Ragazzo of Sports Illustrated reports that Mets veteran starter Max Scherzer started throwing low-intensity bullpens recently. Scherzer is dealing with a left oblique strain that put him on the injured list on May 21.
Ragazzo reports that Scherzer is throwing all of his pitches during these bullpens in Florida and that he’s progressing well.
Scherzer, 37, took himself out of his last start on May 18 vs the Cardinals because he knew something was wrong. The Mets announced the initial timeline was expected to be six-to-eight weeks.
The Mets prized offseason acquisition was pitching to a 2.54 ERA in 49 2/3 innings before the injury. The three-time Cy Young Award winner has 59 strikeouts compared to only 11 walks this season and has allowed only 36 hits.
The Mets are getting one boost to their rotation on Friday when Tylor Megill returns as the starter vs the Los Angeles Angels. Megill has been dealing with right biceps tendinitis since his most recent start on May 11. The right-hander pitched 3 2/3 innings in his rehab start for Double-A Binghamton on Sunday.
Of course, the Mets have been without ace Jacob deGrom for the entire season as well. Their starters entered Thursday with a 3.90 ERA, ranking them 17th in Major League Baseball.
