The New York Mets have been without star pitcher Max Scherzer since September 3, when he felt oblique irritation.
Since it was the same area he injured back in May and forced him to miss several weeks, everybody in the organization was worried about his postseason availability.
Fortunately for everybody involved, he will apparently return as soon as eligible.
“Max Scherzer will either throw a simulated game tomorrow at Citi Field or a rehab start at Syracuse. In either case, the Mets still aim to activate Scherzer (left oblique soreness) as soon as he’s eligible on Sept. 19. ‘That’s the hope,” Buck Showalter said,'” MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo, who covers the team on a daily basis, tweeted.
Max Scherzer will either throw a simulated game tomorrow at Citi Field or a rehab start at Syracuse. In either case, the Mets still aim to activate Scherzer (left oblique soreness) as soon as he's eligible on Sept. 19.
"That's the hope," Buck Showalter said.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) September 13, 2022
Unless he suffers a setback along the way, it looks like Scherzer will return in time to make at least a couple of starts before the Mets embark on their trip through the playoffs.
The Mets Need Scherzer Badly For The Playoffs
If they want to have a shot at beating the Los Angeles Dodgers and the rest of the elite teams in the league, they will need their ace healthy and with a few innings under his belt in September.
Scherzer has been magnificent when healthy, posting a solid 2.26 ERA with 153 strikeouts and a 0.92 WHIP in 20 starts and 127.2 inning.
His 9-4 record is one of the best on the team.
His first season as a member of the Mets has been a success: he signed a three-year deal worth $130 million during the offseason, with an opt-out after the second campaign.
With Jacob deGrom, Scherzer, Chris Bassitt, Taijuan Walker, and Carlos Carrasco in the rotation, the Mets stand a chance against just about any team.
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