The Mets announced starting pitcher Max Scherzer has been scratched from his scheduled Tuesday start against the Reds with neck spasms. The team has recalled David Peterson from Triple A Syracuse to make the start, while placing pitcher Jimmy Yacabonis on the injured list to make room.
Scherzer said he woke up with the neck issue, but is hopeful he won’t be out long.
“There’s really nothing you can do for it other than rest,” he said, via SNY. “It’s gonna be a couple days, but that’s the good new is it’s only gonna be a couple days.”
Scherzer has had a tough start to the season, recording a 5.56 ERA in his first five starts this year. Since Opening Day, he also has been suspended by MLB for getting caught with a sticky substance and endured a back injury that delayed a start earlier in the season.
The 38-year-old Scherzer is in the second year of his contract with the Mets, and he has a player option for a third season next year. In 2022, the right-hander made 23 starts and recorded a 2.29 ERA, helping lead the Mets to 101 wins.
New York enters its series with Cincinnati at 17-18, already seven games behind the first-place Braves in the NL East.
