Here is the latest news and possible return dates for Mets players on the IL…
Jacob deGrom (elbow inflammation)
Mets team president Sandy Alderson gave an update on deGrom’s status Tuesday in Miami, saying that the ace is dealing with a partially torn UCL. However, Alderson went further to say nothing’s changed in his recovery and the sprain has “resolved itself.”
“A sprain is the lowest grade partial tear,” he explained to reporters. “At this point, the sprain has resolved itself. The elbow, at this point, is perfectly intact based on the MRI and the critical evaluations of our doctors. That’s just the technical term that the doctors have used.”
Alderson added that deGrom’s recovery to this point is ramping him back up to see where the pain is.
“That doesn’t mean we’re going to ramp him up until it breaks, that’s not my point,” he said. “My point is we need to begin to see whether this is more of a chronic issue that relates to mechanics in some way. But the more we know going into next season, the better off we’ll be.”
DeGrom’s recent ramp-up was moving his catches to over 100 feet, per MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo. But the team won’t be rushing him through this process just because they’re in a postseason race. They want to get this right, of course, given deGrom’s status as the team’s ace.
So the Mets will continue to keep a very close watchful eye on deGrom as he continues to make his way back at the moment. As to returning this season, Alderson didn’t make any promises or give a timeline.
“I think that’s still very much up in the air.”
DeGrom is eligible to return from the IL on Sept. 13. He has not pitched since July 7.
Potential return date: Late-September
Noah Syndergaard (TJS recovery)
Tuesday marks the 10th day since Syndergaard has started his COVID-19 quarantine, and Alderson said he is schedule to get right back on the mound for High-A Brooklyn on Wednesday or Thursday to continue his rehab assignment.
However, Alderson wouldn’t commit to Syndergaard making an appearance this season or not.
“He’s gotta be ramped up again,” he said. “We’ll see where that takes us.”
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 to stay active during quarantine.
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
Robert Gsellman (lat)
Gsellman pitched for Low-A St. Lucie on Sunday, as he started a rehab assignment, per MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo.
He allowed three earned runs and three hits while striking out one over 0.2 innings.
The right-hander has been on the 60-day IL since June 23 with a lat issue, but could be back in the bullpen later this year to finish the regular season.
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
Brandon Nimmo (hamstring strain)
Nimmo was on second base and running towards third on the final out of the inning on Sept. 4 against the Washington Nationals. As he approached the third base bag, he slowed up.
“It’s a strain in his hamstring. He felt it around third on that play when he was thinking about scoring from second because the second baseman was playing in the outfield,” Luis Rojas said. “Immediately he was frustrated. Let’s see the grade of it and how long it takes him to come back.”
Rojas was initially unsure of how long Nimmo would be out for.
Potential return date: Mid-to-late September
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
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
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