CINCINNATI — Mets Rotation Faces Setback with Injury

The Mets’ pitching rotation, already struggling, took another hit on Monday with the loss of an important player.

According to coach Carlos Mendoza, Christian Scott has been placed on injured reserve due to a right hip impingement. Thankfully, the injury isn’t thought to be severe. Kouhiro Chiga is set to step into Scott’s spot in the rotation starting Tuesday.

Scott, who has pitched in nine games this season and boasts a 3.10 ERA, reported feeling some discomfort in his hip following his last outing and mentioned he wasn’t feeling well after a side session on Sunday.

An MRI confirmed the impingement, prompting Scott to receive a cortisone injection in his lower back.

“I hope this absence will be short,” Mendoza said just before the Mets faced off against the Reds, ultimately suffering a 12-0 loss.

Chiga was initially expected to begin his recovery in the minors after performing well at Double-A Binghamton last Thursday.

This right-hander has spent six weeks tackling inflammation issues in his lumbar spine.

Though Chiga had shown promise at the start of the season, Mendoza attributed some of the team’s struggles to his lower back problems.

Chiga has started five games this year, but his ERA stands at a troubling 9.00.

He ended the previous season at Triple-A Syracuse after a decline in performance.

In his last minor league rehab appearance, he managed to throw six innings at Binghamton, allowing just one hit and one earned run.

“We were focusing on results, and that was his last outing,” Mendoza noted. “But it’s about more than just results; it’s how he feels afterward.”

Chiga underwent a bullpen session on Sunday and received clearance to pitch again the next day.

According to Mendoza, “He’s ready. He claims he feels 100 percent. He mentioned, ‘If I want to go to the minor leagues and pitch again, I will, but I think I’m ready for the big leagues.’ It’s encouraging that he’s being vocal about it.”

In other news, Francisco Lindor participated in a mock game, hitting, running bases, and playing defense.

Mendoza advised that this routine would continue throughout the week, evaluating whether Lindor, who is recovering from a calf strain, will need a minor league rehab stint.

Tobias Myers and Jonathan Pintaro were called up from Syracuse before the game on Monday, while Daniel Duarte was optioned down.

Additionally, infielder Zach Short has been claimed off waivers by the Tigers.