New York Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer was not his typical self in Friday's Game 1 against the San Diego Padres. He allowed four home runs and seven runs altogether in just 4 2/3 innings while striking out four and walking none. The deficit was too much for the Mets to come back from, and Scherzer took the loss in the 7-1 contest. The veteran had a Cy Young-caliber regular season, pitching to a 2.29 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 30.6% strikeout rate and 11-5 record, but he only made 23 starts. If the Mets can win back-to-back games to advance, Scherzer will get the ball early in the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, despite his blowup.

The New York Mets are planning to start right-hander Max Scherzer in Game 1 of the wild-card series against the San Diego Padres on Friday. And in their best scenario, they are contemplating a strategy to save Jacob deGrom for the National League Division Series if they advance. If the Mets win and don't face elimination on Saturday, they would use right-hander Chris Bassitt in Game 2. If they lose the opener, they would use deGrom in Game 2 to try to avoid elimination. If they win the opener and lose Game 2, deGrom would start Game 3 to attempt to advance. Scherzer and deGrom are both available on extra rest for the wild-card series. The good news is the Mets have two former Cy Young winners at their disposal, and they'll need them both if they advance past the Padres to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS.

New York Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer had an eventful start back from the injured list in Monday's 7-2 win over the Brewers. Scherzer pitched 6 perfect innings with nine strikeouts on 68 pitches, earning his 10th win of the season and 200th of his career. Further, this win clinched a playoff spot for the Mets. It was encouraging for the Mets and fantasy managers to see the 38-year-old pitch so well after missing time with an oblique injury. The veteran has been stellar once again this season with a 2.15 ERA and 10.91 K/9 rate over 21 starts. Scherzer's next start should be a great matchup at the Athletics.

The New York Mets activated right-hander Max Scherzer (oblique) from the 15-day injured list on Monday. The Mets also activated right-hander Tylor Megill (shoulder) from the injured list and optioned right-hander Stephen Nogosek and left-hander Alex Claudio to Triple-A Syracuse in corresponding moves. Scherzer is starting on Monday against the Milwaukee Brewers. The 38-year-old ace struck out seven in just 3 2/3 innings in his minor league rehab start for Syracuse last Wednesday, but he threw only 59 pitches, so he could be slightly limited from a pitch-count perspective in his return to New York's rotation on Monday. However, it's still hard to recommend benching the three-time Cy Young winner in fantasy.

New York Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer (oblique) will make a minor league rehab start for Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday, according to the team. The three-time Cy Young winner missed his last scheduled start due to discomfort in his left oblique after being sidelined more than a month earlier this year with a left oblique injury. Barring any setbacks in his outing on Wednesday, the 38-year-old right-hander should return to the Mets starting rotation next week. When healthy, Scherzer continues to be lights-out, going 9-4 with a 2.26 ERA in 20 starts in his first season with the Mets in 2022. When he returns next week, he'll be a must-start for fantasy managers, likely against the Milwaukee Brewers.

New York Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer (oblique) will either throw a simulated game at Citi Field on Wednesday or make a minor league rehab start for Triple-A Syracuse. In either scenario, the Mets plan to activate him from the injured list as soon as he's eligible on Sept. 19. "That's the hope," said skipper Buck Showalter. Scherzer was placed on the injured list last week with left oblique soreness, but it looks like he's doing well and is ready to finish the 2022 regular season in New York's rotation. The 38-year-old future Hall of Famer continues to be a must-start for fantasy managers every time he toes the rubber. He's gone 9-4 with a 2.26 ERA (2.54 FIP), a 0.92 WHIP, 153 strikeouts and only 23 walks in 127 2/3 innings over 20 starts in his first year in the Big Apple.

New York Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer (oblique) is going on the 15-day injured list and won't make his next scheduled start on Friday against the Miami Marlins. Scherzer had to be pulled early from his last start on Saturday with what manager Buck Showalter called fatigue in his left side. The good news is that Scherzer isn't very concerned and expects to be ready to go when his 15 days are up. Lefty David Peterson is likely to re-enter the rotation with Scherzer temporarily sidelined. The 38-year-old Scherzer has been a must-start in fantasy in his first year in New York, going 9-4 with a 2.26 ERA (2.53 FIP), a 0.92 WHIP, 153 strikeouts and 23 walks in 127 2/3 innings over 20 starts.

The New York Mets are still in the process of deciding whether starting pitcher Max Scherzer (oblique) will make his next scheduled start on Friday against the Miami Marlins or get pushed back a start. Scherzer left his previous outing early with oblique fatigue. The Mets don't want to push the 38-year-old right-hander and cause him to miss the final stretch of the regular season, so fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if he skips a start this week. As usual, Scherzer has been a must-start in fantasy in his first year in Queens, going 9-4 with a 2.26 ERA (2.53 FIP), a 0.92 WHIP, 153 strikeouts and only 23 walks in 127 2/3 frames over his 20 starts in 2022. We'll probably know for sure whether he'll make his start on Friday by Wednesday.

New York Mets pitcher Max Scherzer was removed from Saturday's start after just 67 pitches in Saturday's game against the Washington Nationals. He allowed one run on three hits and one walk while striking out five across five innings. The 38-year-old was "feeling fatigued on his left side" and removed from Saturday's start for precautionary reasons. He is considered day-to-day and questionable for his next start Friday against the Miami Marlins. Scherzer owns a 2.26 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and a 153:23 K: BB across 127 2/3 innings in 2022.

New York Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer allowed four earned runs over 6.1 innings of work against the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday. He surrendered three hits but struggled with control, walking three batters and plunking one. The veteran also struck out eight batters and still secured the win. He is now 9-2 with a 2.15 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and .206 OBA through 17 starts in 2022. He also owns a fabulous 11.06 K/9 and 1.65 BB/9 thus far. Scherzer should continue to be rostered and started in all fantasy baseball leagues.

New York Mets right-hander Max Scherzer had a dominant outing in Game 2 of the Subway Series on Wednesday. He held the team's inner-city rivals, the Yankees, to just five hits, two walks and no runs across seven innings while recording six strikeouts. Unfortunately, he wound up with a no decision in the game. Scherzer has been in vintage form since returning from the injured list at the start of July. He's recorded a quality start in each of his five outings this month, pitching to a 1.39 ERA along the way. His next start is currently scheduled for next Tuesday against the Washington Nationals, but there's a chance he could be bumped up or back a day depending on how the team decides to handle the 2022 debut of fellow ace Jacob deGrom (shoulder).

New York Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer will get the ball for Friday's game against the San Diego Padres, the first game following the All-Star break. He missed over a month and a half with an oblique injury but is still having another dominant season. Over 11 starts, Scherzer's produced a 2.22 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and 34% strikeout rate. He also owns a 6-1 record, partly because of his club's 58-35 record. Like most of Scherzer's career, he's a must-start in all leagues, even at 37 years old.

New York Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer was locked in for Monday's 4-1 win over the Braves, earning his sixth win of the season. The veteran pitched 7 innings, allowing a single run on three hits (including a solo home run) and no walks with nine strikeouts. Scherzer has now made two starts since returning from the injured list and hasn't missed a beat. He has a 6-1 record with a 2.15 ERA, 79 strikeouts, and 11 walks over 10 starts and 62 2/3 IP this season. Fantasy managers should feel confident that they have their fantasy ace back as long as he can remain healthy. He should get one more start in a favorable matchup at the Cubs before the All-Star break.

New York Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer made his long-awaited return from the injured list Tuesday against the Cincinnati Reds and appeared to be at his very best, throwing six innings and allowing no runs on two hits and no walks. He struck out 11 batters, his highest total in any game this season. Scherzer threw 79 pitches and was forced to take a no-decision as the offense couldn't muster any runs in a 1-0 loss. Scherzer now has a 2.26 ERA and 0.88 WHIP with 70 strikeouts in 55 2/3 innings this season, and fantasy managers can go forward with full confidence that Scherzer will be the ace they counted on since draft time.

The New York Mets have officially activated starting pitcher Max Scherzer (oblique) from the injured list. The team designated left-hander Chasen Shreve for assignment in a corresponding move. Scherzer will be on the mound for Tuesday's game against the Cincinnati Reds. It will be his first start since mid-May as he'd been sidelined with an oblique strain. The 37-year-old veteran was 5-1 with a 2.54 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP prior to landing on the injured list. Fantasy managers should have no hesitation in starting Scherzer in his return on Tuesday.

New York Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer (oblique) is in line to return on Tuesday against the Cincinnati Reds. Scherzer is hoping he can go roughly 90 pitches over six innings. He said after his second minor league rehab start that he has "a much better grasp of what this is" in terms of his injury and maintenance work. The 37-year-old right-hander was actually activated from the 15-day injured on Friday, but he won't make his return to the Mets rotation until next Tuesday in a great matchup against Cincy. Scherzer has been battling an oblique strain since May 18, but he should be able to give fantasy managers enough to warrant starting him in his first game back, albeit with some added risk. Before hitting the IL, Scherzer had a strong 2.54 ERA and 0.95 WHIP with 59 strikeouts and only 11 walks in 49 2/3 innings over eight starts.

New York Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer's (oblique) minor league rehab start for Double-A Binghamton on Tuesday has been pushed back to Wednesday, but the move is simply precautionary due to the nature of the injury. "Listening to Max and watching him and everything, just felt like we had the benefit of an extra day... We're listening to Max more than anything, and the people that have been working with him since this started... There's no reason to rush it. We're not gonna make that mistake. It's not gonna affect the number of times [he pitches]. He's right where he needs to be," skipper Buck Showalter said. Those that were freaking out that Scherzer might have suffered a setback can relax. Assuming he gets out of Wednesday's start fine, the 37-year-old ace is expected to come off the injured list and return to the rotation next week.

New York Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer's (oblique) minor league rehab start for Double-A Binghamton on Tuesday has been postponed and pushed back to Wednesday. No reason has been given for the decision to push him back, but the fact that he's going to throw a day later likely means it's not injury-related. As long as Scherzer gets out of his outing on Wednesday without any physical setbacks, he's fully expected to rejoin the Mets' rotation next week. The 37-year-old right-hander allowed two earned runs while walking one and striking out six over 3 1/3 innings in his first rehab start for Binghamton, and he'll go back to being a must-start for the Mets when he returns to the majors.

New York Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer (oblique) will be making at least one more rehab start before returning to the majors. On Saturday, Scherzer told reporters that his next rehab start will likely be on Tuesday. However, he doesn't know which minor league affiliate he'll be pitching for yet. The 37-year-old, who has been out since mid-May due to a high-grade oblique strain, made his first rehab outing at Double-A Binghamton this past Tuesday. He pitched 3 1/3 innings in the outing and allowed three hits, one walk and two earned runs while striking out six. Assuming his next rehab outing goes well, we could be looking at a return to the majors sometime around July 4.

New York Mets starting pitcher David Peterson, not Max Scherzer (oblique), will make the start this Sunday against the Miami Marlins. Scherzer could make another minor league rehab start, with the Mets still deciding the next step for him. The 37-year-old ace allowed two runs while walking one and striking out six over 3 1/3 innings in his rehab start for Double-A Binghamton on Tuesday, and it was previously believed that he'd need just one rehab start before returning to the Mets rotation. That may not be the case now, so fantasy managers must remain patient. At the earliest, the three-time Cy Young winner would make his next start for the Mets early next week against the Houston Astros.