As per Matt Ehalt of The Record, New York Mets starting pitcher Jason Vargas, who broke the hamate bone on his non-throwing hand earlier this week, will continue to throw as he heals from surgery to repair the break.
The 35-year-old was told by a hand specialist that he should keep the stitches in until April 3, which will be two weeks after his surgery was performed and two days before he could return from a possible retroactive disabled list stint.
Vargas has continued to throw, as to keep on pace to make his first start of the year not long after he returns. “I’ll just progress like I’m normally throwing,” said the left-hander.
After having a long-toss (up to 120 feet) with bullpen catcher Dave Racaniello (with pitching coach Dave Eiland catching the tosses coming back), he had this to say, “Everything looked good. (See) if I can get a glove on and just try to be active with it.”
Vargas received a two-year, $16 million contract last month and was projected to begin the season as part of the Mets rotation. Even in the worst-case scenario, he shouldn’t miss more than a start or two as long as everything goes to plan.
In the meantime, it looks like Seth Lugo could slide into the fifth starters spot after four scoreless innings on Thursday that followed another bad outing by Zack Wheeler.
