Saturday's rainout delays Scherzer's return, alters Mets' plans

NEW YORK -- To say that Saturday’s game between the Mets and Braves was postponed due to rain would be to reveal none of the context. For a Mets team still reeling from rotation issues, the postponement throws its pitching staff further into disarray.

Due to the rainout, Max Scherzer can no longer complete his 10-game suspension in time to start Monday’s finale against the Braves. Instead, Scherzer won’t be eligible to return until Tuesday’s series opener in Detroit.

Saturday’s game has been rescheduled as part of a split doubleheader on Aug. 12, with start times at 1:10 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. ET.

As for this weekend, the Mets officially pushed Tylor Megill back to Sunday, with Monday yet to be announced. That would be Kodai Senga’s turn in the rotation, but the Mets haven’t used Senga on four days’ rest in any start this season, and a team official indicated the club would like to avoid that this time around as well. That means the Mets may proceed with either José Butto or a bullpen game on Sunday, with Scherzer, Senga and Justin Verlander set to pitch against the Tigers in some order -- all of it, of course, subject to change.

Verlander, who missed the first month of the season due to a teres major strain, can come off the injured list as soon as Wednesday.

Still, the situation is not ideal for the Mets. Part of the reason why Scherzer accepted his 10-game sticky stuff suspension without appeal is because it would line him up to pitch the finale against the Braves. Due to the rainout, the 10th game of Scherzer’s suspension is now scheduled for Monday rather than Sunday.

Given the weather in the tri-state area this weekend, that misfortune quickly became unavoidable. A steady rain began falling in New York City during the Mets’ game on Friday, forcing umpires to halt play after five innings of what became an abbreviated 4-0 loss to the Braves. The precipitation did not cease overnight, remaining steady throughout the morning and into the afternoon. According to the National Weather Service, it is expected to continue into Sunday.

The Mets and Braves’ remaining games are scheduled for 1:40 p.m. ET on Sunday and 1:10 p.m. ET on Monday. The Mets are due to fly to Detroit on Monday night.

Fans holding tickets for Saturday’s originally scheduled game may use them for the 1:10 p.m. ET game on Aug. 12. Those who would prefer a different date can exchange their tickets for any remaining regular season home game, excepting the June 3 Mets Hall of Fame induction and the June 13-14 Subway Series against the Yankees. More information is available at Mets.com/Rain.