LOS ANGELES — The Mets’ position in the standings likely won’t impact how they proceed with Jacob deGrom.
As deGrom awaits an MRI exam this week that will determine if the swelling in his right elbow has subsided enough for him to resume throwing, acting general manager Zack Scott told The Post on Sunday that if the right-hander is cleared to pitch in September, he probably will — even if the Mets’ postseason chances have all but evaporated at that point.
“I think we’ll want to get him out there just to see where he’s at,” Scott said before the Mets beat the Dodgers 7-2, adding that the goal would be to eliminate a potential question mark heading into the offseason.
DeGrom last week was placed on the 60-day injured list, meaning Sept. 13 is the earliest he could rejoin the active roster. The Mets ace last pitched on July 7 — he returned from the All-Star break with right forearm tightness and was placed on the IL.
He was shut down from throwing on July 30 because of elbow discomfort. DeGrom’s last MRI showed reduced swelling, according to the team, but he was told to rest into this week before receiving further evaluation.
Noah Syndergaard is “close” to beginning a minor league rehab assignment, according to Scott, after the right-hander faced batters in live batting practice for a second time on Saturday. It’s likely that Syndergaard will face batters again in a controlled setting this week, perhaps for multiple innings, according to manager Luis Rojas. The Mets are hopeful Syndergaard can return, possibly in a bullpen role, in early September. His initial rehab from Tommy John surgery was shut down in May after he incurred elbow discomfort.
Jeff McNeil followed a performance in which he reached base twice Saturday with a pinch-hit double in the sixth, leaving the Mets hopeful the slumping second baseman is close to getting on track.
“He looked really good today,” Rojas said. “He put the ball in the air, which is important for him, that has been his M.O. as a hitter — pull air — but he hit it to left-center and that’s even a better sign, that he can trust his power to drive the other way, so he feels really good right now.”
McNeil remained in the game as the left fielder. He is expected to receive playing time at that position, following Javier Baez’s return from the injured list and with Francisco Lindor’s looming comeback.
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