Scherzer fans 6 in first rehab start: 'I feel good about today'

Max Scherzer's road to recovery ran through Binghamton, N.Y., on Tuesday, as the 37-year-old right hander made his first Minor League rehab start for the Double-A Rumble Ponies.

Scherzer, who was scheduled to throw around 60 to 70 pitches, got through 3 1/3 innings on 65 pitches, giving up three hits and two earned runs in the Ponies' 7-6 loss to the Reading Fightin Phils. He also struck out six and walked one in his outing.

"I went out there and accomplished what I thought I was going to do," Scherzer told reporters after the game. "I was able to step on a few fastballs. I thought that was a good thing. I was able to throw all my pitches."

The ace had a familiar face behind the plate, with James McCann also making a rehab assignment for Binghamton. In his fourth game, the 32-year-old, who caught all nine innings, went 1-for-4 with a run scored and a walk. And with McCann taking the catching reins, Francisco Álvarez, the Mets' No. 1-ranked prospect, launched a three-run homer as the DH.

Tuesday marked Scherzer's first game action since May 18, as he has been out with a left oblique strain since he exited his last start against the Cardinals after 85 pitches.

"I feel good about today," said Scherzer, who received a no-decision. "I feel like I was able to do everything that I wanted to do and stressed the oblique. And it felt good afterwards, so it didn't tighten up on me, but you really don't know until tomorrow."

There is currently no word on how many rehab starts Scherzer will require, but he's already itching to join the Mets.

"I want to get back out there so bad," Scherzer said. "You put in all this work. You see the team playing some great baseball. You want to be out there competing and winning with them, so for me, I want to be in the big leagues, not be a Rumble Pony."