Mets' Buck Showalter: Delaying next Max Scherzer rehab start a precautionary move

Fans of the New York Mets were understandably concerned to learn earlier on Tuesday that ace Max Scherzer was having his second rehab start for Double-A Binghamton pushed back one day to Wednesday night in Hartford as he works to return from the oblique strain he suffered on May 18. 

Scherzer made his first rehab appearance last Tuesday, and manager Buck Showalter assured everyone before the evening's game against the Houston Astros that the 37-year-old hadn't experienced any setback in his recovery. 

"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," Showalter explained, per SNY. 

"Gotta be careful. This is an injury where if we go too fast, you're right back to where you were again. We're gonna take every precaution possible, and I think Max understands and appreciates it, even though it can be frustrating for guys as competitive as him." 

Showalter insisted the three-time Cy Young Award winner "thinks he can pitch here tonight" despite the Mets' concerns. 

Scherzer went 5-1 with a 2.54 ERA in his first eight starts this season before the injury. 

Fellow Mets ace Jacob deGrom (stress reaction in the scapula of his pitching shoulder) is still at least a couple of weeks away from making his season debut, and right-hander Tylor Megill (right shoulder strain) won't pitch again until mid-August at the earliest. Thus, the first-place Amazins would prefer to have Scherzer back sooner than later, but only if he's fully recovered.