Noah Syndergaard and Jeurys Familia are about to take a major step forward in their respective efforts to pitch again before the end of the season.
For the first time since suffering a lat injury in April, Syndergaard will throw off a pitcher's mound. He's scheduled to throw his first bullpen session on Tuesday, manager Terry Collins announced.
In Florida, Familia will begin a minor-league rehab assignment with the Mets' affiliate in the Gulf Coast League. Familia has been sidelined since May after undergoing surgery to remove a blood clot from his right arm.
Familia is closer to a return, especially since he won't need as much time to ramp up for one-inning bursts out of the bullpen.
As a starter, Syndergaard will need more time once he begins his rehab assignment, though the Mets believe he still has time to return before season's end.
Pitching coach Dan Warthen mentioned the option of perhaps using Syndergaard out of the bullpen to hasten his return, but sources said the idea hasn't gained any traction.
In another encouraging sign for a Mets pitcher, Matt Harvey will continue his rehab assignment sometime this week. He's scheduled to throw 40 to 50 pitches in his next game. Out since mid-June with a stress injury in his shoulder, the right-hander began his rehab on Saturday with an 18-pitch effort in one inning with Class-A Brooklyn.
"We've got to figure out where we're going to send him," Collins said. "We haven't decided on where his next rehab is. Hopefully, we can get the pitch count up where we'll have a little bit better of an idea of where he is."
