New York Mets pitcher Max Scherzer is nearing a return from the injured list.
His manager, Buck Showalter, acknowledged that the pitcher is a consideration for Sunday’s series finale at Miami against the Marlins.
However, the Mets’ current injury woes won’t influence the skipper’s decision.
“Showalter on Scherzer: ‘Just b/c we’re having challenges with the health of our starters, it shouldn’t affect at all his timetable. He wants to be here competing … but I think he’s real smart about it. He knows that if there’s an issue with it again, it could be a long time’,” Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News tweeted, quoting Showalter.
Showalter on Scherzer: "Just b/c we’re having challenges with the health of our starters, it shouldn’t affect at all his timetable. He wants to be here competing … but I think he’s real smart about it. He knows that if there’s an issue with it again, it could be a long time."
— Deesha (@DeeshaThosar) June 22, 2022
The Mets know that Scherzer is 37 years old: while he did heal quickly, his body should still require some extra care and maintenance.
Scherzer Is Nearing A Return To The Mets Rotation And Will Significantly Boost The Unit
The most important thing, regardless of the exact day of his return, is that he is actually healthy enough to pitch.
If the Mets, come the weekend, feel he needs an extra day or two to rest, then he won’t start on Sunday.
If that’s not the case, expect him on the hill against Miami.
Scherzer got up to 65 pitches while accumulating six strikeouts in a minor league rehab start on Tuesday evening with Double-A Binghamton.
He has been sidelined since May 19 because of a left oblique strain.
He was initially given a 6-8-week timetable, and appears likely to beat the most optimistic outcome.
He will return to a 5-1 record and a 2.54 ERA.
With 59 strikeouts in 49.2 innings, he was awfully impressive before going down.
NEXT: Mets Insider Reveals A Potential Max Scherzer Return Date