Scherzer to make start in Hartford

New York Mets pitcher Max Scherzer will make a rehab start Tuesday at Dunkin Donuts Park in Hartford, according to reports.

Scherzer will make his second start for Class AA Binghamton when the Mets affiliate, the Rumble Ponies, take on the Hartford Yard Goats at 7 p.m.

Scherzer threw 65 pitches in 3 innings this past Tuesday for Binghamton in his first rehab appearance since straining his left oblique May 18, according the New York Post.

A three-time Cy Young winner, Scherzer had hoped to return to start for the Mets Sunday, but told reporters he did not feel he was in position to do so.

“In order to be able to pitch in the big leagues Sunday, I was going to have to be perfect and there was going to be a lot of stipulations even for me pitching in a game, so I couldn’t check that box,” Scherzer told reporters Saturday in Miami. “I need to repeat this process again, go through the turn again, and for me I am focusing on the rehab right now and making sure it is strong and getting back.

“I felt like I woke up pretty good (after Tuesday’s start). I threw a bullpen [session] the next day, probably normal intensity and then a core routine afterwards. I just came in the next day and I was sore, as expected. I am doing a lot. I passed all the tests, there is no setback whatsoever, so this is just the nature of coming back from this injury.”

The righthanded Scherzer, 37, is 5-1 with a 2.54 ERA for the NL East leading Mets. Scherzer’s 15year MLB career includes stints with Arizona, Detroit, Washington and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Yard Goats start a six-game series with Bighamton Tuesday. Tickets were still available for Tuesday’s game.