NEW YORK -- For months, the Mets have played without their most heralded starting pitcher and bullpen arm. But Noah Syndergaard and Jeurys Familia are both edging closer to returns.
Syndergaard, who has not pitched since tearing his right lat muscle April 30, is scheduled to return to a mound Tuesday for the first time. Syndergaard has spent the past four weeks throwing off flat ground, a program that he continued Monday afternoon at Yankee Stadium.
In five starts prior to his injury, Syndergaard was 1-2 with a 3.29 ERA.
Familia, who hasn't pitched since undergoing May surgery to remove a blood clot in his shoulder, is set to begin a Minor League rehab assignment Tuesday for the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Mets. Familia can spend up to 30 days on assignment, but he likely will not need that much time.
Before landing on the disabled list, Familia posted a 3.86 ERA with three saves in four chances. He will reclaim the closer's role from newly acquired AJ Ramos upon his return, with an eye toward locking down the ninth inning in 2018.
Also on the mend is Matt Harvey, who is scheduled to throw a side session in front of Mets coaches this week. The team has not yet determined where Harvey, who pitched one inning in his rehab debut Saturday for Class A Brooklyn, will make his next Minor League start.
The Mets expect all three pitchers to return this season.