Christian Scott should soon start throwing from 120 feet in what would be another step forward in the rookie right-hander’s potential return from the strained UCL he suffered July 22.
“Everything feels good,’’ Scott said Saturday after another throwing session prior to the Mets game against the Marlins at Citi Field.
He has yet to start throwing breaking pitches, which will be another test in his comeback attempt.
With Kodai Senga still limited to upper-body work as he recovers from a strained calf, and president of baseball operations David Stearns sounding like the team has no immediate plans to call up promising 23-year-old right-hander Brandon Sproat from Triple-A Syracuse, the return of Scott would be key to a playoff push.
Scott, 25, showed flashes of excellence through most of his first seven starts, but was hit hard in his last two outings.
Still, with a rotation that already lacked much depth, more good arms would help.
They also haven’t gotten much length from the rotation of late, although Sean Manaea’s seven-inning outing in Friday’s win helped.
Prior to that, only David Peterson had lasted more than five innings the previous time through the rotation.
Considering where the Mets are in the NL wild-card standings, they will look for help from Scott, if he’s healthy.
“The intensity is gonna increase here pretty soon,’’ Carlos Mendoza said of Scott’s rehab process. “But it’s hard to tell [how he is] until he gets on a mound and throwing all his pitches.”
Francisco Lindor continues to thrive in the leadoff spot.
The shortstop carried a 10-game hitting streak into Saturday’s game against Miami, going 16-for-45 in that span, with five extra-base hits.
In 79 games hitting at the top of the lineup prior to Saturday, Lindor had an OPS of .888, compared to a .697 OPS in 29 games hitting third and .419 batting second.
And his 23 homers overall heading into Saturday led all NL shortstops.
Pete Alonso heard some boos Friday night after a strikeout.
He entered Saturday hitless in his previous seven at-bats and in five of his last seven games. He’s already had an 0-for-15 streak earlier this month.
Mark Vientos was back in the No. 2 hole for a third straight game Saturday, as the third baseman continues to supply consistent production.
