Here is the latest news and possible return dates for Mets players on the IL…
Jacob deGrom (elbow inflammation)
Pitching coach Jeremy Hefner spoke with reporters on Sept. 3 about deGrom’s status, and it doesn’t sound like the Mets are going to rush him back just because they are in a postseason race.
“The timeline doesn’t change just because it’s the end of the season,” Hefner said. “Obviously, we want him to pitch, but we have to go through the necessary steps to make sure he’s not only healthy for this season but he’s also healthy for the rest of his career. So always weighing those things, whether it’s September or October or April or May or whenever.
Hefner added that the goal for deGrom is to get to a certain intensity level, rather than upping his pitch count and stamina.
“You like to see him get to 120, 135 [feet], somewhere in there…
“It’s one of these things where he could not pitch in a game, and he also could. It just depends on how he reacts to the throwing,” he added.
DeGrom resumed throwing on Aug. 25 after being cleared to throw after a follow-up MRI earlier in the day. DeGrom’s MRI looked “great,” per MLB Network’s Jon Heyman.
Luis Rojas said after deGrom threw on Aug. 25 that there is no timeline for a return and that his throwing progression will be a day-to-day thing – he also threw on Aug. 31.
DeGrom is eligible to return from the IL on Sept. 13, but he still has not thrown off a mound, so returning on that date seems unlikely.
He has not pitched since July 7.
Potential return date: Late-September
Noah Syndergaard (TJS recovery)
Syndergaard, who recently tested positive for COVID-19, was throwing indoors on Sept. 1.
In a video Syndergaard posted to Instagram, he was throwing baseballs against a wall from a decent distance in what appeared to be his apartment.
Syndergaard’s scheduled rehab start for the Brooklyn Cyclones on Aug. 29 did not happen because he tested positive for COVID-19.
Syndergaard is vaccinated.
He began his rehab assignment on Aug. 26 for High-A Brooklyn, throwing 16 pitches in one inning. He topped out at 96 mph with his fastball.
Potential Return Date: TBD
Tomas Nido (thumb)
Nido was placed back on the 10-day IL on Aug. 31 with the same thumb injury that landed him on the IL earlier in August.
In the only game he played after his initial activation from the IL, Nido went 1-for-2 on Aug. 27 but appeared to be in pain after one of his at-bats.
Potential return date: TBD
James McCann (lower back spasms)
Speaking before the game on Aug. 28, McCann said his rehab is “right on track” but there’s no definitive date marked for his return.
“We have targets but there are certain things I have to accomplish,” he said. “The way I view it, as soon as I’m able to get out here and help, that’s what I’m gonna do.”
The catcher added that on Aug. 27 he hit in a field setting for the second time and caught a second bullpen on Aug. 28.
McCann has been on the 10-day IL on Aug. 20, retroactive to Aug. 17.
Potential return date: TBD
Drew Smith (right shoulder inflammation)
The Mets announced on Aug. 14 that Smith was on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation.
The 27-year-old Smith, who last pitched on Aug. 13, has appeared in 31 games for the Mets this season, pitching to a 2.40 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 41.1 innings.
Potential return date: TBD
Jose Peraza (fractured middle finger)
Peraza took grounders at Citi Field on July 23 while still wearing a splint on his finger, which he is not close to being rid of.
Peraza was placed on the 10-day IL on July 20 with a fractured right middle finger. Over 52 games, he’s batting .205 with six home runs and 19 RBI.
Potential return date: TBD
Robert Gsellman (lat)
The Mets transferred Gsellman to the 60-day IL on June 23, shortly after he was shut down from throwing for six weeks due to a lat injury.
Gsellman last pitched on June 19 against the Washington Nationals, when he allowed one run on three hits in 2.0 innings while serving as the opener.
Potential return date: September
Joey Lucchesi (Tommy John surgery) and Dellin Betances (shoulder surgery) are out for the season. David Peterson (oblique/foot) is likely out for the season