The New York Mets sent right-hander Max Scherzer on a rehab assignment and the former Cy Young Award winner is expected to pitch for Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday night.

Scherzer, 38, went on the injured list retroactive to Sept. 4 with fatigue on his left side. He was on the IL for six weeks earlier this season because of strained left oblique.

A three-time winner of the National League’s top pitching award, Scherzer is 9-4 with a 2.26 ERA in 20 starts during his first season with the Mets. In 15 seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dodgers and Mets, he is 199-101 with a 3.11 ERA in 427 appearances (418 starts).

The Mets are 4-6 since Sept. 3 as their grip on the NL East lead fades. New York entered play Wednesday with a half-game lead over the Atlanta Braves, who have won seven of their last 10 games.

Scherzer could return to the Mets’ rotation as early as a three-game series at Milwaukee next week.

Catching prospect Francisco Alvarez is expected to be behind the plate for Scherzer on Wednesday as he continues his own rehab assignment following an ankle injury. Alvarez, 20, was the designated hitter in his first two rehab appearances.

Alvarez, who has never appeared in the major leagues, has 25 home runs and 69 RBIs in 101 minor league games this season.

–Field Level Media