Mets' Chris Bassitt on track to return Friday vs. Marlins

New York Mets right-hander Chris Bassitt was scratched from his July 1 start against the Texas Rangers and added to the COVID-19 injured list. Bassitt hasn't taken the bump since, but it appears he'll be back in action sooner rather than later. 

According to an SNY update, Bassitt is on track to return to the rotation for Friday's game against the Miami Marlins. The 33-year-old last pitched on June 25 and, somewhat ironically, is now slated to make his third consecutive start against Miami. Assuming Bassitt gets the ball Friday, ace Max Scherzer would have his next start pushed back to Monday evening at the Atlanta Braves. 

Before the setback, Bassitt had logged 15 starts this season and gone 6-5 with a 4.01 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 95 strikeouts over 89.2 innings of work. Scherzer, meanwhile, returned to the big-league rotation Tuesday from the oblique strain that had sidelined him since May 18. 

Friday could prove to be important for the Mets, as ace Jacob deGrom is expected to make a second rehab start that night for Single-A St. Lucie as he works to return to full fitness. The two-time National League Cy Young Award winner has missed the entire MLB season, to date, because of a stress reaction in the scapula of his pitching shoulder.