Mets still planning for Jacob deGrom to pitch again this season, however unrealistic that may seem

NEW YORK — Jacob deGrom’s rehab from a right elbow issue has been excruciatingly slow. Nevertheless, the Mets are still planning for their ace to return to the mound before the season is over.

After three weeks of playing catch at various distances, deGrom progressed this week to throwing off the mound. He felt really good after his first bullpen session since July, according to manager Luis Rojas. The right-hander played light catch on Friday, and the plan is for him to throw another side session sometime this weekend.

The Mets are not sure when he will face batters, and if that step will take place on a rehab assignment or with the team. That next hurdle is not on the club’s radar yet. But Rojas said on Friday, whether deGrom is going to be stretched out or not, the Mets hope he can help them “with an inning or two at some point later in the season.”

As a reminder, the Mets entered Friday with 15 games to play, sitting in third place, 5.5 games behind the first-place Braves. They are also five games back of a wild-card spot. The reality is deGrom’s leisurely progress does not suggest he will return to the rotation in time to make a difference for the club.

“Whatever buildup he has, if he’s willing to go and he’s clear, we’ll take him just like that,” Rojas said. “Past that, I just think he’s going to be Jacob deGrom. He’ll keep building up. We’ll take Jake as a five-inning, if he gets built up like that in the playoffs, let’s say, and then he gets a chance to build up to that. Past that, I think he’ll be Jake deGrom. He’ll be who he is.”

DeGrom last pitched for the Mets on July 7. He landed on the IL after the All-Star break with what the Mets called “elbow inflammation.” Earlier this month, team president Sandy Alderson said deGrom actually sustained a sprain, or low-grade tear, of his UCL. That sprain, Alderson said, “has resolved itself.” The Mets have been cautious with deGrom’s ramp up in the second half of the regular season.

Rojas indicated on Friday the organization is not concerned about any lingering question marks deGrom’s elbow issue may create for his availability next season.

Noah’s next step

Noah Syndergaard (Tommy John rehab) will progress to a potential rehab assignment this weekend, Rojas said on Friday. The club is still debating whether he should continue facing Mets batters or make a rehab start for High-A Brooklyn or Triple-A Syracuse before he is cleared to join the roster.

The Mets expect Syndergaard to return to the club in some fashion, likely pitching out of the bullpen, before the season is over.