Marcus Stroman remains in line to make his next scheduled start.
The Mets right-hander threw a bullpen session on Friday — three days after left hip soreness ended his previous start following just one inning — and came through it fine, according to manager Luis Rojas. “He felt really good. His stuff was the same, but we still want to see how he feels [on Saturday] after throwing the bullpen, see how his hip is,” Rojas said, as the Mets split a doubleheader with the Phillies. “As of now, he’s really, really good. I was there, I was present, I saw it. Body control and everything — everything was on point.”
It remains uncertain if Stroman will pitch Sunday or Monday, provided he doesn’t suffer any setbacks. The Mets could start Jerad Eickhoff on Sunday against the Phillies, giving Stroman an extra day of rest.
Outfielder Brandon Nimmo continued his rehabilitation assignment at Triple-A Syracuse on Friday night, going 1-for-5 with a run as he inches closer to a return to the Mets.
Rojas said the Mets expect to get Nimmo back at some point next week during their road trip, but wouldn’t offer an exact day for when that may happen. Nimmo has been on the injured list since May 5 with a torn ligament in his left index finger. In fives games for Syracuse, Nimmo is 3-for-12 with four runs and a walk.
“He hasn’t felt anything [with the finger],” Rojas said. “By the time he gets to us, it’s because he has no limitations.”
After four days of waiting, the Mets finally pulled the trigger and sent infielder Jonathan Villar to the IL on Friday with a strained right calf. Villar hadn’t been available since Monday. He was replaced on the roster by infielder Travis Blankenhorn, who was hitting the cover off the ball at Triple-A Syracuse with three homers and driving in 13 runs in seven games.
Infielder J.D. Davis (sprained left hand) was moved to the 60-day IL, opening up a spot on the 40-man roster. Davis isn’t eligible to return until July 1. He isn’t expected back by then anyway, although Rojas said Davis is making progress and has advanced past dry swings. He has started hitting off a tee and taking soft toss. Davis has been out since April 1 after suffering multiple setbacks.
Jeurys Familia (right hip impingement) threw in right field before the doubleheader. The right-handed reliever was placed on the 10-day IL on Monday. The Mets have said it isn’t expected to be a long-term absence.
Dellin Betances’ issues during his rehabilitation assignment continued on Friday. He allowed three earned runs in one-third of a an inning and walked two. The righty reliever, who has been dealing with a right shoulder impingement, has allowed eight earned runs in 3 ²/₃ innings..
Edwin Diaz and Aaron Loup, two of the Mets’ top relievers, were unavailable on Friday after recent heavy workloads. Loup threw a season-high 40 pitches on Tuesday and Diaz threw 33 in a five-out save on Wednesday. Rojas said he wanted to give both pitchers an extra day of rest.
Reliever Sean Reid-Foley was recalled from Syracuse to serve as the 27th man for the doubleheader, and he allowed the game-winning run to score in the second game.. … The Mets claimed catcher Chance Cisco off waivers from the Orioles and sent him to Syracuse. … Friday was the fifth Pride Night at Citi Field, a celebration of the LGBQT+ community. The Coca-Cola sign above right field was illuminated in the Pride Rainbow.