The Mets co-aces each hit a milestone in their recoveries from injury today. Max Scherzer made a rehab start with Double-A Binghamton, tossing 3 1/3 innings and 65 pitches. It’s the first game action for the three-time Cy Young winner since he suffered an oblique strain in mid-May.
Jon Heyman and Mark Sanchez of the New York Post wrote over the weekend that Scherzer could return to the big league staff as soon as Sunday. Whether he’s back that quickly remains to be seen, but it’s possible he could beat the initial timeline. The club originally estimated his recovery at six-to-eight weeks; this Thursday will mark the five-week mark since the injury. Even if Scherzer does wind up requiring one more rehab start before returning to the majors, the Mets surely have to be happy with his current situation considering the initial expectations.
The team announced that Jacob deGrom threw a live batting practice session at their Florida complex (via Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News). It’s the first time deGrom has thrown to hitters since he was diagnosed with a stress reaction in his scapula at the end of Spring Training. The four-time All-Star has been working off the mound for the past couple weeks, and he continues to progress toward an eventual return. A specific timeline for him logging game action is to be determined, and deGrom is expected to require at least three rehab starts before getting back on the Citi Field mound.
In addition to Scherzer and deGrom, New York will be without Tylor Megill for an extended period. The right-hander suffered a shoulder strain and landed on the injured list last week, with the club announcing he’d be shut down from throwing entirely for at least a month.
Megill only managed a 5.01 ERA through nine starts before the injury, but he struck out a quality 27% of batters faced against a 6.3% walk rate. He’s started all 27 of his major league appearances dating back to last year’s call-up, but the Mets have at least given some thought to using him in shorter stints. Ken Rosenthal suggested on this week’s Athletic Baseball Show that New York had some internal discussions about the possibility of converting Megill into a high-leverage setup role once Scherzer and deGrom returned to join Carlos Carrasco, Taijuan Walker, Chris Bassitt and depth starters David Peterson and Trevor Williams.
Rosenthal noted those hypotheticals were kicked around before Megill’s injury, which could throw a wrench into any plans. It seems likely he’d require less of a rehab buildup to work out of relief than as a starter, perhaps increasing the appeal of such a move though. Either way, Megill won’t be on an MLB mound for an extended period, and intervening events will no doubt affect the club’s course of action. He’s likely to be out through the August 2 trade deadline, and New York figures to explore the market for both starting and relief help over the coming weeks.
Can’t wait to see what Scherzer and JDG can do together on the Mets’ staff!
Agreed, man. Good to see Scherzer making progress like this with an oblique strain. I do wonder just how good the Mets are going to be when those two return, and if this will enable them to run away in the East Division.
I don’t believe it will happen, BUT, imagine a staff with Cole & DeGrom next year? That would be insane! It would be like…..well, this year…lol.
Cole and Nestor is already plenty!
I’m not high on deGrom based on his IL history. I’d say take that money to pay Judge. Sevy, further away from surgery recovery, could also be looking like a #1/#2 again. I’d work something out with him at year-end if he remains healthy.
He’s only been on the IL 3 times since 2014……….
@BigFootsFart He’s hardly pitched the last 2 seasons. That’s what matters.
Will Walker fall off a cliff post all-star break again?
Probably. Or get injured.
It depends if they use him correctly. His numbers fall off a cliff after about 50-60 pitches in each start. Buck has a quick hook, which may keep Walker effective, even if he only goes 4-5 innings.
Amazing what they have done, today against Astros an example of how bad it can be, with what I consider their best 3 starters being out over an extended period of time.
Welcome back someone, Holderman and May still out in middle relief.
Possibly a blessing in disguise that Scherzer got a month & a half of “rest.”
This seems rushed. Considering Scherzer’s age, more rest with maybe simulated activity? Also, up 5.5 in division, I’m thinking the Mets, with only some risk, have got the division in hand? Need these guys healthy for the competition that will be there in the playoffs?
I think the Mets are going to win the division, but 5.5 is really nothing, especially given the Mets recent history. They also only played the Braves in 1 series so far and that series was split. I do not at all think the division is won already. If the Braves sweep one series, they’re right there.
The thing I will say is that the Mets have proven they can beat anyone. Good teams. Bad teams. Doesn’t matter.
VonPurpleHayes
I think the Mets are going to win the division, but 5.5 is really nothing,
=====================================
They’re playing much better than I expected, but I don’t think they can hold off the Braves. The Braves are just relentless. They have 15 left against Atlanta, with 10 of them being at Atlanta.
The Braves and Phillies recent resurgence is impressive, but unfortunately for the Phillies, they played almost all of their games against the Mets early. (I don’t think schedule makers should ever do that as it ruins division races.) As you pointed out the Braves, control their own fate with 15 games against the Mets. It should be fun to see. I have the Mets, but only slightly.
While I agree that Atlanta is going to be right there with the Mets, their recent hit streak was exclusively against bad teams.
@rct I will say that the Mets played those same teams and weren’t sweeping them, but here’s my brief takes:
-Mets: Have a comfortable lead. All they need to do is beat the Braves in a good chunk of those 15 games left.
-Braves: All they need to do is beat the Mets in the majority of the 15 games left against them.
-Phillies: Are at a disadvantage having not many games left against the Mets, but will be gaining ground whenever the Mets and Braves play. Phillies also had a brutal schedule already, so they have the ability to take advantage of a weaker schedule, but I just think the Phillies bullpen isn’t good enough for them to compete with the other two.
I also don’t think the WC comes out of the NLE. The NLW is top heavy and the NLC will see the Cards and Brewers pounding on the Cubs, Pirates and Reds.
@c yards
I NEVER dismiss the Braves. But with the current most wins in the NL, it is hard to imagine missing the wild card.
Having a HEALTHY deGrom and Scherzer after September 1 should be the team’s goal.
@jim stem: I’m an AL/O’s fan here enjoying following the Mets this season too. Following this thread, I have a new found respect for the Braves. I was thinking after September 1 for Scherzer and deGromas returns as well. That said, if Braves make it tight, I’d give the ball to Scherzer before then. What a beast!
It’s the Mets so at least one, but probably all 3 end up needing Tommy John surgery
Shut your evil mouth
Idiot
Why would this article not mention how Max did in his rehab game? For those curious, 3.1 IP, 3 hits, 2 runs (both earned), 1 BB, 6 K, 1 HR.
Thank you, sucks that they didnt include this
it’s not relevant
Might as well include his spring training stats too.
# of pitches, # of innings.
I think they didn’t include it because it doesn’t matter. Max was just trying to get his arm strength up. He wasn’t necessarily trying to throw his best stuff or get perfect innings.
Mets-Yankees 2022 world series.
Mets pen is an issue they have to figure out, if they want to contend deep into September. Wouldn’t surprise me “Epps” doesn’t do enough, to build the pen or get a real power right handed DH hitter? He was horrible with the Angels as a GM.
I hear Mets fans say this, but really it isn’t true. Their pen has been solid. Diaz is elite. Lugo and Smith are always great in the late innings. Ottavino isn’t the worse. Lots of great options there.
@Dallas
May hasn’t been good since we got him. I think he’s barely a 7th inning guy right now. I trust Smith more.
I do think Dom will get showcased and moved for a proven left handed reliever. He needs to play every day.
As far as the post season goes, remember that 1 or even 2 starters end up switching to the bullpen. That likely would mean Megill and Peterson joining everyone behind the outfield wall.
@JoeBrady and VonPurpleHayes. Thanks for the insight. Both of you not sold on 5.5 as enough, works for me. I’m on the outside looking in. I’m here because of Buck. Forever grateful to Mr. Angelos for hiring him. I bleed black and orange, baby! Go Os.
I loved Buck on the Os. He’s been great with the Mets too, but those were some fun Orioles teams.
I’m happy for him. Ended rough here for him … and Duquette as well. The sweet run was over after 2016. Everyone knew it. Time for a new direction. Popular belief was Mr. Angelos, older and in failing health, didn’t have luxury of time for that so he pressed on. He held on to Manny one year too long, the Alex Cobb signing was out of desperation, the Davis contract and so on. Peter’s son John takes over and guts it. And, I believe, prudent in doing so. One result: collateral damage. Goodbye Buck, Dan and others.
The BB fan inside me yelled out for Manny to be traded at the deadline in 2017. They could’ve trade 1.5 years of Manny, plus Brach, Givens, O’Day & Britton, plus maybe some other minor pieces. They held onto them, and still wound up losing 115 games in 2018.
All that talent, and they basically got -0- out of it. That’s ruinous for a franchise.
Yep. It was painful to watch. That said, I do like what’s going on now. John A seems to not be like his dad? Peter overly passionate thus overly involved. John, not so much. Result. The baseball people in the organization are making the baseball decisions. Yes? Maybe? Too early to tell?
They are well on their, so much so that it is almost time to add from the outside.next year. 16-15 over the last 31 games. They have 6 hitters that you can maybe kind of own in fantasy BB. It’s been a long time since O’s fans have seen that.
I rather see deGrom learn to pace himself and finish a season with an ERA of 3.50 than throw as hard as he can for a half season, get injured, and have an ERA of 2.00.
@Buster
The last year deGrom paced himself was in 2018 and he finished with a 1.70 ERA. That’s what I would love to see more of, when he is 97 to 99 he’s in his sweet spot.
2019 he was healthy all year. 2020 as well. He paced himself those years. Not just 2018
Have always seen MeGill as a potential closer
The logical move with Megill would be to piggyback starts with Peterson. Both would be scheduled the same day and each go 4+.
But ‘excess’ pitching tends to figure itself out. Walker will still need some shorter stints or even skip a start here and there. Remember, he appeared to be on fumes the entire second half.
Carrasco just pulled with lower back tightness.
So much for depth.
He said he’s not concerned about it and that he expects to make his next scheduled start.
H