PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Max Scherzer said he will most likely start Game 2 of the season on Friday in Washington, putting to rest the most troubling concerns about his balky right hamstring.
As the Mets prepared to break camp, Scherzer threw a bullpen session on Tuesday morning in an indoor batting cage, away from prying eyes. He said afterward that the session was “really good” and that he expected to pitch Friday, so long as a fielding test also goes well on Thursday.
Scherzer said he would comment more at a future time.
Assuming Scherzer can pitch Friday, he will face his former team for the first time since the Nationals traded him to the Dodgers last summer.
Scherzer would have been a candidate to pitch Opening Day in place of injured Mets ace Jacob deGrom, but he tweaked his hamstring during routine running work last Thursday. The Mets have not announced a replacement starter for Opening Day. Candidates include Tylor Megill, David Peterson or a bullpen game.