WASHINGTON — When pitcher Christian Scott was ordered back to Triple-A Syracuse on May 30, he was told by Mets officials not to worry because he would be back with the major league team sooner or later.
That day came on Tuesday, when the right-hander returned to the Mets ahead of his scheduled start against the Nationals.
The Mets are expected to officially recall Scott on Wednesday, reducing their relief roster by one pitcher.
The team’s top pitching prospect has had a stellar first stint with the team, posting a 3.90 ERA in five starts, including a dominant performance in his major league debut at Tampa Bay on May 4, when he allowed just one earned run over 6 2/3 innings.
The 25-year-old has spent the last month since returning to Syracuse working on fine-tuning adjustments.
“I’ve been working on my off-speed pitches, working on the top of the strike zone and just trying to be more consistent in my approach overall against both right-handed and left-handed hitters,” Scott said at Nationals Park. “I’m just trying to find new ways to get outs to win games.”
The Mets had initially considered a six-man rotation that would include Scott, but with Edwin Diaz’s drug suspension, which runs through Friday, in need of bullpen bolsters, they opted to option Sunday’s starter Tyler Megill to Syracuse.
Scott could potentially start the three games before the All-Star break.
Scott averages a 94.3 mph four-seam fastball and also mixes in a sweeper, slider and splitter.
His success included walking just six batters in 27 2/3 innings.
“We know he’s got the skills, but he’s not afraid. This moment isn’t too big for him,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “Especially when he’s not at his best, he still fights and gives it his all. It was great to see that for a pitcher his age, coming up for the first time.”
Scott has pitched a combined 70 innings this season with Syracuse and the Mets.
Scott threw a career-high 87 2/3 innings last season, but Mendoza said there’s no cap on him.
Still, team officials will be keeping an eye on his workload to see him through the season.
“I’ve never pitched over 90 innings in professional baseball, so that’s the next step for me, competing and having a long season, staying healthy and keeping myself and my body in the best possible shape that I can,” Scott said. “But I’m open to it now.”
Mendoza said he will rely heavily on the guidance of the team’s performance staff.
“We’re constantly evaluating our players, seeing how they’re recovering and how they’re responding after each game,” Mendoza said.
The Mets expect Kodai Senga to return after the All-Star break and will switch to a six-man rotation if necessary to give the Japanese right-hander more rest between starts. Senga is scheduled to pitch in his first minor league rehab game on Wednesday and is expected to return within the next 30 days if he doesn’t have a setback.
Scott’s goal is simply to give the Mets the best chance to reach the postseason.
“I’m going to give it my all and give everything I’ve got for the Mets,” Scott said.
