Noah Syndergaard’s rehab is back in motion, as Saturday he continued a throwing program that began in the past week.
The Mets right-hander played catch in the outfield before his team’s 8-3 victory over the Yankees at Yankee Stadium, extending to about 75 feet.
Syndergaard was shut down from his minor league rehab assignment in late May because of elbow inflammation.
Syndergaard underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2020 and the Mets initially hoped he would return by mid-June this season.
Manager Luis Rojas said the Mets remain hopeful Syndergaard can return around Sept. 1.
Rojas was leaning toward changing his pitching rotation due to Sunday’s doubleheader, which will consist of two seven-inning games. The original plan called for Marcus Stroman and Tylor Megill to start in succession, but Rojas said the rookie Megill will likely be moved to Monday, and it’s possible Corey Oswalt will start the nightcap.
Rojas’ reasoning was the expectation Megill could work deeper into Monday’s nine-inning game than Oswalt, who has been used as a multiple-innings reliever.
“Oswalt can give us some innings and back it up with our bullpen,” Rojas said. “Just thinking of a plan with the guys that we have here so less moving pieces. Beyond that we haven’t committed to anyone outside of what we have here.”
Though Friday’s rainout meant the Mets will play their eighth doubleheader of the season, Rojas wasn’t disappointed about the postponement. It occurred during a stretch in which the Mets were playing 18 games in 17 days.
“I was OK with it,” Rojas said, referring to the postponement. “We had a long night coming from Atlanta the night before and even though we came here ready to play and we wanted to play, when that happens, we’ll take it.
“We can take advantage of it. The guys are more rested. We’ll also have guys that weren’t going to be available maybe. I don’t think [Seth] Lugo or [Trevor] May were going to be available.”
Jonathan Villar was a nine-inning appearance away in the minor leagues from returning to the Mets, but bad weather in Syracuse has kept the veteran infielder in limbo. Rojas said the Mets were discussing alternate plans that would allow Villar to test his right calf if Syracuse didn’t play Saturday night.