Mets ace Scherzer slowed by leg injury
Projected opening day starter has hamstring issue, unclear prognosis
Mets ace Max Scherzer is dealing with a hamstring issue and isn’t sure when he’ll pitch next, another frustrating setback for the top of New York’s heralded but suddenly fragile rotation.
A day after the Mets said star Jacob deGrom will miss significant time with a shoulder injury, Scherzer was scratched from his outing Saturday morning in a simulated game.
Just five days away from opening day in Washington, Scherzer said he wasn’t sure about the immediate plans. The three-time Cy Young Award winner said he doesn’t expect the trouble with his right hamstring to be a long-term problem.
“Don’t know,” Scherzer said when asked when he’d pitch again. “I’ve had these little hamstring injuries before. They go away in days. Fortunately enough I’ve been pretty good to not have serious hamstring injuries. I’ve had just little hiccups.”
“I think this is the same thing. For me, it’s just a day-to-day thing ... but when you’re dealing with hammies, you never know.”
Mets manager Buck Showalter said he would lean on the 37-year-old right-hander for advice going forward, but added that Scherzer was still in consideration for the opening day nod against his former Nationals teammates.
“If you look at the days and off and what have you, yeah, but I’m not committed to that,” Showalter said.
The Mets signed Scherzer as a free agent to a $130 million, three-year contract. That seemed to give them a dominant front of the rotation, but the news that deGrom wouldn’t throw for up to four weeks but a huge dent in those hopes.
There is no timetable for deGrom’s return. In addition to the time he won’t throw, the two-time Cy Young Award winner might need at least a month after that to get ready to pitch in the majors — and that might be a best-case scenario after he missed the second half last year because of an elbow injury.
Yankees: New York boosted its depth behind the plate, acquiring catcher Jose Trevino from the Texas Rangers for right-hander Albert Abreu and lefty Robert Ahlstrom in a trade Saturday. The 29-year-old Trevino hit .239 with five home runs and 30 RBIs for Texas last season. He made 81 starts . ... Playfully wearing a Tampa Bay Buccaneers football helmet, New York Yankees minor league manager Rachel Balkovec was back on the field Saturday. Balkovec, hired as the first woman to manage a minor league affiliate of a major league team, was hit in the face by a batted ball during a drill March 22. The accident caused facial swelling.
Angels: Los Angeles has designated Justin Upton for assignment despite owing the slugging outfielder $28 million this season.
Braves: Atlanta reliever Luke Jackson has ligament damage in his right elbow and there’s no timetable for his return.
Guardians: A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that Cleveland has agreed to terms with closer Emmanuel Clase on a $20 million, five-year contract.
Marlins: Sandy Alcantara will make his third opening day start Friday when Miami opens the season at San Francisco, manager Don Mattingly said.
Nationals: Patrick Corbin will make his first opening day start with Washington on Thursday against the Mets, manager Dave Martinez said.
Orioles: Baltimore and slugger Trey Mancini have agreed on a $7.5 million, one-year deal to avoid arbitration that includes a $10 million mutual option for the 2023 season.