Mets manager Luis Rojas doesn’t want to look too far ahead, but right-hander Jacob deGrom, who is on the 10-day injured list with right side discomfort, could pitch as early as Friday against the Marlins at loanDepot park.

The Mets haven't ruled out sending deGrom on a rehab assignment, but Rojas said he wants to make sure his ace is healthy before making the announcement official. deGrom, who exited his May 9 start against the D-backs after five innings, played light catch before Sunday's game against the Rays at Tropicana Field. He is scheduled to throw off a slope Monday and have a bullpen session Tuesday.

“I want to get the feedback from him just to see how he feels,” Rojas said. “He has been doing his exercises. It has been a positive feedback each day. Tomorrow, he is going to touch and feel. It should be a step forward with the feedback that we want to hear from what was happening before he went on the IL.”

Worth noting
• Outfielder Brandon Nimmo, who is on the IL with a bone bruise in his left index finger, is returning to the Major League squad to receive treatment. He will rejoin the team in Atlanta on Monday. Nimmo will not be sent on a rehab assignment until he is pain free, according to Rojas.

• Rojas has not announced a starting pitcher for Tuesday's game against the Braves and hasn’t ruled out a bullpen day, like the Mets attempted in Saturday's 12-5 loss to the Rays. Rojas said right-hander Jordan Yamamoto and left-hander Thomas Szapucki, the Mets' No. 10 prospect, are also options. Both are with Triple-A Syracuse.

• Right-hander Noah Syndergaard, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery performed in March 2020, is expected to go on a rehab assignment soon, according to Rojas. Syndergaard will likely pitch for Syracuse.