New York Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Mets star SP Max Scherzer on 15-day IL stint: 'This is days not weeks'

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 9/7/22

The New York Mets have seen their once double-digit game lead in the NL East disappear, as they enter Wednesday tied with the Atlanta Braves atop the division. They've lost three in a row and have been outscored by two of the worst teams in baseball (the Washington Nationals and Pittsburgh Pirates) by a score of 22-4 during the skid.

Now, they've lost one of their co-aces to the injured list yet again.

Breaking: Max Scherzer is going on the injured list, Buck Showalter said. The Mets expect him back when eligible.
— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) September 7, 2022

Scherzer on his IL stint: “This is days not weeks.” Says his left side feels “achy.”
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) September 7, 2022

This will be Scherzer's second stint on the IL during his first season in New York, after he missed time earlier in the year with an oblique issue. The three-time Cy Young award winner signed a three-year, $130 million contract with the Mets in December 2021.

If Scherzer does indeed return when first eligible on Sept. 19, he would only miss two starts. This is the first time all year where the defending World Series-champion Braves have held at least a share of first place in the division.

The hard-throwing righty has made 20 starts in 2022, going 9-4 with a 2.26 ERA and 0.92 WHIP, while recording 153 strikeouts over 127 2/3 innings pitched.

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