Mets aces inching closer to return from injury

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Mets aces Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer took their next steps Wednesday toward returning to New York's rotation.

DeGrom, sidelined since last July 7, threw 27 pitches to hitters in Port St. Lucie, Florida, and could progress to a minor league injury rehabilitation assignment.

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Jacob deGrom #48 of the New York Mets in the dugout during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Citi Field on June 14, 2022 in New York City. The Mets defeated the Brewers 4-0.  (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

"We'll see how he feels tomorrow," Mets manager Buck Showalter said after watching on video from Citi Field. "Tomorrow, if he feels well, we'll probably be able to talk about that next step."

A two-time Cy Young Award winner, the 34-year-old right-hander missed the second half of last season because of right forearm tightness. He returned and made spring training starts on March 22 and 27, then was sidelined by a stress reaction in his right scapula that caused inflammation. He did not throw another bullpen session until June 4.

"He hasn't had anything that has taken him off schedule so far," Showalter said. "You can tell he's upbeat about where he is. The body language, more than anything."

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Pitchers Max Scherzer #21 and Jacob deGrom #40 of the New York Mets talk in the dugout during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Citi Field on June 14, 2022 in New York City. The Mets defeated the Brewers 4-0.  (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, has been sidelined since straining