Here is the latest news and possible return dates for Mets players on the IL…
Noah Syndergaard (TJS recovery)
Syndergaard is set to throw live batting practice on Aug. 21 in what would be his second time facing batters since ramping up his rehab.
He threw live BP on Aug. 17, facing Francisco Lindor and Luis Guillorme. Per Luis Rojas, Syndergaard threw 15-to-20 pitches — all fastballs and changeups.
Now that he’s faced live hitters and with another live BP session on the schedule, the next step would likely be a rehab assignment. And when it comes to how long that rehab assignment is, that could depend on the role the Mets envision for Syndergaard upon his return.
Zack Scott mentioned on July 26 that Syndergaard could perhaps work out of the bullpen when he returns, and Scott reiterated that point on Aug. 10. Speaking on Aug. 19, Syndergaard said he was open to it.
Potential return date: Sept. 1
Francisco Lindor (oblique)
Luis Rojas said on Aug. 19 that the Mets are “optimistic” Lindor will return this weekend against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. And if not, the target would be the Mets’ next series, which starts on Aug. 24 against the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field. As of August 20, Rojas said it’s ‘still pending’ as to which series it will be.
It appears Lindor, who faced Noah Syndergaard during his simulated game on Aug. 17, will indeed return straight to the Mets without a rehab assignment — as had been his wish.
“(If) I go spend a week and a half, two weeks in the minor leagues, come back we only have a month or three weeks left,” Lindor said recently. “At the end of the day, it’s what the trainers think is best. I’ll always give my input and they know.”
Lindor has been hitting, running the bases, and fielding grounders as he nears a return.
Potential return date: Aug. 20-24
Javier Baez (back spasms)
Luis Rojas is optimistic Baez will be activated on Aug. 22, which is his first day eligible, though it’s still possible he could be activated for the Giants series starting on Aug. 24.
Baez recently took batting practice for the first time since landing on the IL.
Baez fielded ground balls prior to the team’s game on the road against the San Francisco Giants on Aug. 16.
He was placed on the 10-day IL on Aug. 13, retroactive to Aug. 12, with back spasms.
Potential return date: Aug. 22
Jacob deGrom (elbow inflammation)
DeGrom had a routine check-up on Aug. 16 with Mets team doctor David Altchek, reports SNY’s Andy Martino.
“Yeah, he saw Altchek today, but that’s the guy he’s been seeing for years, knows him really well,” Rojas said on Aug. 16. “Just saw him again, and basically said the inflammation is still improving, but still two weeks away. Still two week shutdown still in play.”
On Aug. 13, deGrom’s shutdown was extended for an additional two weeks after an MRI showed improvement of the inflammation in his elbow. DeGrom will receive further imaging after the two weeks are up.
DeGrom has not pitched since July 7.
Potential return date: Late-September
Tomas Nido (left thumb sprain)
Nido was placed on the 10-day IL on Aug. 16, retroactive to Aug. 15, with a left thumb sprain.
Acting GM Zack Scott said on Aug. 16 that “it’s not that serious” of an injury, as Nido jammed his thumb on a ball off his glove.
Over 51 games this season, he’s batting .231 with three home runs and 13 RBI over 134 at-bats. He’s struggled as of late, hitting .118 (2-for-17) with one RBI over his last seven games.
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
Luis Guillorme (hamstring)
Guillorme landed on the IL on Aug. 1 after suffering a hamstring strain while running the bases on July 31.
Rojas said the strain is a one and a half, with there being no current timeline for Guillorme’s return.
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
David Peterson (right oblique strain, right foot fracture)
The Mets transferred Peterson to the 60-day IL on July 24 to make room on the 40-man roster for Mark Payton, who was acquired from Cincinnati. But when Peterson was transferred to the 60-day IL, it was announced that he had suffered a Jones fracture of the fifth metatarsal on his right foot. He had surgery on the injury on July 27.
Potential return date: TBD
Corey Oswalt (right knee inflammation)
The Mets announced on July 6 that Oswalt has been placed on the 10-day IL, retroactive to July 5, with right knee inflammation.
The 27-year old Oswalt started for the Mets on July 4, allowing three earned runs over 4.0 innings of work against the Yankees.
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