The New York Mets have compiled the second-best record in the majors this season, despite being without their two best starting pitchers, Jacob deGrom, who has yet to pitch this season, and Max Scherzer, who has made just eight starts this season, for a chunk of the year. On Monday, the Mets received an important update on Scherzer, per Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports and The Athletic.

Rosenthal reports that Scherzer is set to begin a rehab assignment on Tuesday. The Mets right-hander is slated to throw 60-70 pitches, which could technically put him on track to return on Sunday against the Miami Marlins.

However, the Mets will take things slow with Scherzer, who has never had an oblique injury in his 15-year MLB career. The club plans to see how the three-time Cy Young award winner's body responds to the rehab start and bullpens sessions that follow it.

That will give the Mets a better idea of a return timetable. Scherzer, 37, has missed about a month with the ailment. He was brilliant before going down, pitching to a 5-1 record with a 2.54 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 49 2/3 innings pitched.

The Mets, who have their sights set on their first National League East divisional crown since 2015, also their last World Series berth, will do everything they can to ensure they have Scherzer healthy for the big moments later on in the 2022 season.