Scherzer out 6-8 weeks

Scherzer out 6-8 weeks

New York Mets' Max Scherzer pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday, May 18, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

NEW YORK (AP) — The Mets have experienced a major pothole on their drive toward a division title.

The NL East leaders say Max Scherzer will be out six to eight weeks with a strained oblique muscle in his left side. Scherzer left Wednesday’s start with two out in the sixth following 87 pitches, signaling to the dugout that he was done for the night. An MRI revealed the injury, which leaves the Mets without their two best starters.

Jacob DeGrom has been out since spring training because of a right scapula stress reaction. He’s not likely to pitch until late June or July at the earliest, and Opening Day starter Tylor Megill (TY’-lohr meh-GIHL’) is on the injured list with right biceps inflammation..

Scherzer is 5-1 with a 2.54 ERA this season.

Photo: New York Mets’ Max Scherzer pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday, May 18, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)