Don’t expect Christian Scott to return to the rotation anytime soon.
The Mets are scheduled to have a three-day break in three weeks and aren’t expected to need a new starting pitcher until after the All-Star break, which begins July 15.
Manager Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday the team was still discussing the best time to bring back Scott, who was promoted from Triple-A Syracuse and pitched well in four of his five starts for the Mets.
“We have a lot of rest days coming up, so a five-man rotation is best going forward,” Mendoza said of the right-hander, who turns 25 on Saturday.
The Mets are keeping a close eye on Scott, who last pitched last Wednesday, when he gave up just one run on two hits over five innings, and is scheduled to start again Wednesday against Syracuse.
“He’ll be back here again,” Mendoza said before the Mets’ 4-2 loss to the Marlins at Citi Field.
Another key member of the starting rotation is also expected to return after the All-Star break, with pitcher Kodai Senga, who threw his first bullpen session on Sunday after returning from a shoulder injury in the spring only to have his game interrupted by a triceps strain.
Mendoza said Senga had Monday off and did the long toss on Tuesday.
The next step, Mendoza said, will be a second bullpen session on Wednesday or Thursday.
“He’s going to continue to grow,” the manager said. “To have him on the mound right now is a good sign.”
Mendoza said Edwin Diaz is expected to return Thursday when he is cleared to return from the 15-day injured list.
Diaz has appeared in two rehab games with High-A Brooklyn after being sidelined with a right shoulder injury.
His most recent appearance was on Sunday and he pitched in the bullpen on Tuesday.
“He was in pretty good shape,” Mendoza said. “He [Wednesday] We plan to have him back on Thursday.”
It’s been a tough season for Diaz, as he missed every game last season with a torn patellar tendon in his right knee.
The right-hander started well but was injured in four of his next five games and landed on the disabled list.
Diaz’s velocity has continued to decline during his rehabilitation and has not returned to the level it was at before last year’s injury.
His four-seam fastball is averaging 97 mph this season.
In 2022, when Diaz had a dominant season, it was 99.1 mph.
With Diaz out, the Mets had to rely on their closer committee, with four relief pitchers earning saves.
Starling Marte was benched Sunday after a fumble in right field against the Phillies on Saturday in London, but he had two of the team’s four hits in the loss.
Mendoza said Sunday was a scheduled rest day for Marte and that he didn’t want him to pitch in any games. Marte allowed two of the team’s four hits.
The bullpen allowed just one earned run, by Adam Ottavino, in 4 1/3 innings.
