Mets Injury Report: Max Scherzer Completes Rehab Start, Could Return From IL This Weekend

New York Mets 37-year-old ace, Max Scherzer, struck out six batters in 3.1, two-run innings in his first double-A rehab start on Tuesday night. 

Max Scherzer Injury Update

Scherzer suffered a “moderate to high-grade” left oblique strain on May 18 and was placed on the 15-day IL. 

He is now five weeks removed since the strain that the Mets and ProBaseballDocs both anticipated would keep him out for six-to-eight weeks.

If his body recovers well from the 65-pitch rehab start in the coming days, Scherzer could be in line to start for the Mets on Sunday, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman and Mark W. Sanchez. 

The three-time Cy Young winner emphasized after the start that he is healthy and is gnawing at the bit to return to the majors, but that will depend on whether the notoriously fickle oblique strain has proficiently healed after only five weeks. 

Despite positing an eight-week absence the Mets never transferred Scherzer to the 60-day IL, signaling they have been working towards a return closer to six weeks. 

Jacob deGrom Injury Update

Jacob deGrom faced live batters on Tuesday for the first time as he recovers from a right scapula stress reaction. 

He is still a month away from the big leagues as he makes a slow-and-steady progression to avoid any further right arm issues, according to the ProBaseballDocs. 

It will have been over a year in between starts when deGrom makes his season debut that will likely come after the all-star break.