New York Mets star pitcher Max Scherzer, who went down in mid-May with an oblique strain, could return to action sooner than we all expected.
MLB insider Jon Heyman reported on Monday that he is in play to start Sunday’s game against the Miami Marlins.
That will largely depend on how things go on Tuesday: Scherzer is scheduled to make a rehab start for the Mets’ Double-A affiliate.
As it turns out, he will throw to a fellow rehabbing Mets player: catcher James McCann.
“Max Scherzer will pitch for Binghamton tomorrow, throwing to James McCann, in a rehab start,” Mike Puma of the New York Post tweeted.
Max Scherzer will pitch for Binghamton tomorrow, throwing to James McCann, in a rehab start.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) June 20, 2022
Scherzer has been facing live hitters for a while now, but he is now about to test his oblique in a competitive setting.
Scherzer Looks On Track To Beat His Original Timeline
It looks he will beat his original six-to-eight-week timetable: if he returns on Sunday, he would have done so closer to the five-week mark.
Scherzer was able to make eight starts before going down, and he compiled an impressive 2.54 and 59 strikeouts in 49.2 frames.
McCann, on the other hand, broke the hamate bone on his wrist about a month ago and recently began a rehab assignment.
For hitters, wrist injuries, particularly those affecting the hamate bone, could sap a player’s power, and that’s why McCann is expected to be in the minors for a little while longer as he gets up to speed with MLB velocity.
In any case, both players should be on the Mets’ active roster next week.
The Mets are also waiting for fellow ace Jacob deGrom, who had a stress reaction on his right scapula, to be ready to pitch.
That should be at some point in July.
NEXT: Video Shows Jacob deGrom And Max Scherzer Getting To Work