Here is the latest news and possible return dates for the Mets players on the IL…
J.D. Davis (hand)
Luis Rojas said on Sunday that Davis won’t be in the Triple-A Syracuse lineup because of a stiff neck.
He still has a couple of rehab games to play before his hand injury is deemed relieved and he can return to the Mets, so his potential return date of this week could be later than expected.
Rojas said Saturday he expects Davis to return to the club at some point this week, though he wouldn’t give an exact day. The Mets want to see how his hand responds to swinging before making that call.
If Saturday’s game is any indication, the Mets are likely very happy Davis’ swings, as he lifted a solo home run to center field. Davis also made a nice defensive play at first base, sliding into the hole to field the ball and making the flip to first.
With Pete Alonso currently on the IL, Davis could be an option at first base for the Mets, which would allow them to keep Jonathan Villar in the lineup at third.
Potential return date: Next week
Brandon Nimmo (finger)
Nimmo told reporters on Saturday that he’s “feeling pretty good right now,” but he’s still yet to take swings after reaggravating his finger injury on May 13.
The outfielder said he’s dealing with “a pesky little nerve” in his left index finger, and he’s still feeling pain when making contact.
Luis Rojas said Saturday that Nimmo will not start swinging until he’s pain-free, so there’s no exact timetable for his return.
Potential return date: TBD
Seth Lugo (elbow)
After appearing in a game with St. Lucie on Tuesday, Seth Lugo made his second rehab outing on Friday, this time with Triple-A Syracuse. Lugo pitched a scoreless seventh inning, striking out one batter and walking one. He then came back out for his second inning of work and walked the leadoff man before being pulled.
In all, Lugo threw 25 pitches in his inning-plus of work, walking a pair of hitters and striking out one.
Lugo is scheduled to pitch for Syracuse again this weekend (likely on Sunday), according to Syracuse manager Chad Kreuter.
Click here to watch the highlights of Lugo’s second outing.
Potential return date: May 31
Jacob deGrom (side)
Rojas said that deGrom is on track to return to the team from the IL on Tuesday to start against the Rockies.
That was always the plan for New York after sending him to Port St. Lucie for a rehab start, where he was topping 102 mph on the radar gun. After his nine-up, nine-down in that Thursday outing, deGrom will pitch again on the 25th.
“The plan for him is to start again on the 25th. Whether it’s gonna be with us, I’m gonna say we hope so, but we want to see this day-to-day,” said Rojas earlier. “Today, he came in early, he’s getting his treatment. Tomorrow, he’ll have a touch-and-feel. And then Sunday, he’ll have his full side.
“We want to see his day-to-day. We want to see how he feels and the feedback on outside things going in, and then we can probably say ‘okay, yeah, he’s coming and pitching with us,’ or if we want to go another way where we want to see another rehab start. But right now, we’re sticking day-to-day with him.”
DeGrom was dominant during his rehab start for St. Lucie, going three hitless innings while striking out eight hitters against the Palm Beach Cardinals.
Potential return date: May 25
Pete Alonso (hand)
Alonso was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right hand sprain.
Luis Rojas said that an MRI revealed “nothing major,” but that the sprain is something that’s been “bothering him.”
“We went ahead and put him on the IL so he could get some treatment there and then progress into getting some swings,” Rojas said. “Want to make sure nothing is bothering him, so we’ll see how it goes day-to-day with the treatment, and then we’ll [see] with his progressions if he’ll meet us right after the 10 days of the IL stint.”
Potential return date: TBD
Taijuan Walker (side)
The Mets placed Walker on the 10-day injured list with left side tightness.
The injury is, and the process to bring him back will be, similar to deGrom’s, per Rojas.
“Just to look at video and break it down. Talk to him and see what’s causing it because he feels good but it’s developing throughout the outing. So something that doesn’t cause this to be a more serious thing and it can take it to another road, so we’d rather go this road and be safe with him and pay attention to his mechanics and what he’s doing.”
Potential return date: TBD
Noah Syndergaard (TJS recovery)
Syndergaard could be making the next move in his rehab, as Rojas noted he could be heading for a start with Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday.
Syndergaard went on the mound for the St. Lucie Mets (Low-A) on Wednesday, and was more than stellar in his four innings of work. He allowed just one hit and retired the first 11 batters he faced. In all, he tossed four shutout innings and stuck out five with just one hit allowed.
Potential return date: Mid-June
Kevin Pillar (nose)
Pillar suffered multiple nasal fractures on Monday night when he was hit in the face by a 95 mph fastball against the Braves in Atlanta. Pillar, who will meet with a specialist to determine next steps, has been placed on the 10-day IL.
Potential return date: TBD
Carlos Carrasco (hamstring)
Carrasco is back with the Mets after stretching out to six innings during simulated games. He is still considered “week-to-week” and will be on a rehab assignment once he’s deemed ready for that step.
Potential return date: TBD
Jeff McNeil (hamstring)
McNeil landed on the IL on Tues., May 17. He will be eligible to be activated on May 27.
Potential return date: TBD
Michael Conforto (hamstring)
Conforto landed on the IL on Tues., May 17 after being diagnosed with a hamstring strain. He will be eligible to be activated on May 27.
Potential return date: TBD
Luis Guillorme (oblique)
Guillorme is not yet doing baseball activity as he recovers from his oblique injury.
Potential return date: TBD
Albert Almora Jr. (shoulder)
Almora landed on the IL on May 12 after crashing into the center field wall at Citi Field while trying to make a catch.
Potential return date: TBD