Mets rookie Christian Scott has begun a throwing program, hoping to return to New York’s pitching rotation this season after being out with a sprained ligament in his pitching elbow.
On Tuesday, Scott made 35 throws from 75 feet, following 25 throws from 60 feet on Sunday.
Scott is 0-3 with a 4.56 ERA in nine major league starts since his debut on May 4, when he performed well at Tampa Bay. He was placed on the injured list on July 22 due to a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. The 25-year-old is eager to get back on the field this season.
“It’s really exciting how this team’s making a push to the playoffs,” Scott said Tuesday. “Hopefully I can be a part of that.”
New York manager Carlos Mendoza said Scott still has several steps to go but was hopeful that the right-hander could return later in the season.
“It’s good that he’s throwing the baseball,” Mendoza said. “We’ve just got to wait and see how he continues to progress. Hopefully he’s part of the team towards the end.”
New York began Tuesday night’s series opener against Oakland with a 61-57 record, one game behind Atlanta for the final National League wild card spot.
Injuries to Scott and Kodai Senga, who strained his left calf in his season debut on July 26 and was placed on the 60-day injured list, along with the rise of José Buttó as a useful late-inning reliever, have weakened the Mets’ rotation depth.
New York’s most experienced starters at Triple-A Syracuse are Joey Lucchesi and Tylor Megill, who have a combined 2-6 record with a 5.61 ERA in the majors this season.
