Max Scherzer throws successful simulated game, could rejoin Mets by end of month
New York Mets pitcher Max Scherzer looks on from the dugout during an MLB baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Citi Field on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Max Scherzer aced his latest test Thursday on his way back from injury, a three-inning, 50-pitch simulated game that went well, as anticipated.
If his strained left oblique continues to feel fine — and avoids any unwanted tightness in the hours after his workout — he will make a minor-league rehabilitation start Tuesday with a to-be-determined affiliate.
After that, it might be time to rejoin the Mets by the end of the month, though that is not a guarantee.
“I’d love to tell you that I can do one rehab start and I’m going to feel great and I’m going to come back. I would love to say I can do that,” Scherzer said. “Is that possible? Yes. But the reality is I could very easily have a rehab start, have it be tight and want to do it again before I’m actually in a big-league game. I’m very aware of working back through this injury and really, really focused on not having a setback.”
Making just one rehab appearance would mean returning to the majors on a lower-than-normal pitch count.
“I’m fine being limited,” he said. “If I can get back here throwing 70-80 pitches, give me the ball.”
In his early-afternoon simulated game, Scherzer pitched to Patrick Mazeika and a pair of minor-leaguers. He characterized himself as having “made it” through the end, an indication of the proceedings’ routine nature.
“I did it exactly the way I thought I was going to do it, with the second inning being the highest-intensity inning,” he said. “I felt good the entire time. Threw all the pitches, so everything is good.”
Manager Buck Showalter said: “I watched the first inning and a half. It was going well, so I left. I’ll tell you one thing about Max: He simulated a game very well. He was into it. You could tell how much he enjoyed being back out on the mound here at Citi Field. So I thought it went well.”
Ouch
Starling Marte was out of the lineup for the series finale against Milwaukee because of a bruised right forearm, the product of the 97-mph sinker from Corbin Burnes that hit him Wednesday night.
Marte said he expects to be back Friday against Miami.
“I felt a little bit tight in my ability to actually swing,” Marte said through an interpreter, noting that he also feels it when catching and throwing. “Maybe give it another day and we’ll be ready to go.”
Marte entered the game as a pinch runner in the eighth inning and scored the go-ahead run.
Lindor lacking
Francisco Lindor in 11 games entering Thursday since fracturing the tip of his right middle finger: .156/.208/.244.
Is the finger bothering him?
“I’m sure it is. I’m sure to some extent,” Showalter said. “He would never use that as an excuse. I think it’s good to make note of the fact that he is still playing with it and through it. It’s something that’s gotten a little better every day. We’re hoping to reach a point here soon where it’s kind of behind him.”
Celeb sighting
Noted Mets fan Donovan Mitchell, the Utah Jazz star, hung out at Citi Field and participated in early batting practice, the extra work some players put in before the crowds arrive and hubbub sets in. Lindor and Pete Alonso were among those to chat with him.
Mitchell’s father, also Donovan Mitchell, is a longtime Mets employee, so the younger Mitchell grew up around the organization.
Minors details
The St. Lucie Mets, the Low-A club, clinched their first-half division title in the Florida State League with a win Wednesday. They were 39-19, including 22-3 at Clover Park.
Tim Healey is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. Born on Long Island and raised in Connecticut, Tim has previously worked for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Boston Globe and MLB.com. He is also the author of “Hometown Hardball,” a book about minor league baseball in the northeast.
