Recovered players returning to Mets
Some familiar faces are NEW YO R K rejoining the New York Mets this weekend as they fight for a berth in the NL playoffs
Right-hander Jacob deGrom is scheduled to start Sunday’s series finale against the Minnesota Twins in his first appearance since Sept. 1. First baseman Lucas Duda, who last played on May 20, is to be activated off the disabled list Saturday after recovering from a stress fracture in his lower back.
DeGrom, who had been bothered by right forearm soreness, will be limited to about 75 pitches. He threw a bullpen session Friday,
“We know how good he can be in the daytime,” Mets manager Terry Collins said. “We’re hoping that we can get him back up to where if we get into the post-season he’s a viable option for us.”
Right-hander Noah Syndergaard will start Monday’s series opener against Atlanta on five days’ rest. Left-hander Steven Matz, who has not pitched since Aug. 14 because of shoulder tightness, is to throw a bullpen session Saturday.
New York entered the weekend with a one-game lead for the NL’s second wild card. Collins said it is too early to make rotation decisions too far in advance. Matt Harvey had season-ending surgery in July and rookies Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman have joined Syndergaard and Bartolo Colon in the rotation.
Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said in August that he did not expect Duda to return this season. Duda has been taking batting practice and will be integrated slowly.
In addition, outfielder Juan Lagares was activated from the disabled list ahead of Friday’s series opener against the Twins. Lagares hasn’t played since July 28 because of a torn ligament in his left thumb that required surgery. He plans to start swinging a bat next week and will be limited to a defensive replacement role.
Infielder Wimer Flores, out since a home-plate collision on Sept. 10, said he had an injection of painkiller in his right wrist Thursday and could return soon.