NEW YORK -- The Mets recalled Chris Flexen from Triple-A Syracuse before Thursday night's game and designated Rubén Tejada for assignment in a corresponding move. The team had been carrying 12 pitchers, so Flexen is the 13th.

Marcus Stroman, who exited his outing on Wednesday with hamstring tightness, said he expects to make his next start, but Flexen could likely slot in there if that were to change and it were necessary. Of his 26 Major League appearances, 11 have been starts. Those came primarily in 2017, when he made nine starts. Flexen has made 24 appearances (12 starts) with Syracuse this season, too.

"We need pitching," manager Mickey Callaway said before Thursday's game against the Indians at Citi Field.

"When you just kind of look around at our roster, it made some sense right now."

When a player's contract is designated for assignment -- often abbreviated "DFA" -- that player is immediately removed from his club's 40-man roster, and 25-man roster if he was on that as well. Within seven days of the transaction (it was previously 10 days), the player must be released or placed on irrevocable outright waivers.

McNeil begins rehab assignment

Jeff McNeil will play corner outfield positions for Triple-A Syracuse beginning Thursday night as he works his way back from a left hamstring injury. He's expected to play five to seven innings.

"We could play him at second, that would be a little less taxing, but we want to see him ranging and running down balls just to make sure he's totally healthy," Callaway said. "We're not really worried about the at-bats. We feel like he's going to hit -- he hasn't had that much time off. But we want to see him run around a little bit and still be able to control the effort a tad before we activate him up here."

McNeil is eligible to return from the injured list Saturday.

Cano update

Robinson Canó was scheduled to run before Thursday's game as part of his recovery from a torn left hamstring.