Jed Lowrie is advancing as he continues rehabbing the assortment of injuries that have kept him out all season, with Brodie Van Wagenen saying Wednesday that a rehab assignment could be in the cards in the not-too-distant future.
According to Van Wagenen, Lowrie is "running, hitting, and fielding ground balls," and recently started facing live pitching during simulated games.
As far as Lowrie returning this season, Van Wagenen said "it's absolutely our hope and expectation that he can."
The next step for Lowrie will be for him to work on his "quickness and explosion" and he will be able to advance to rehab games once those boxes are checked off.
In an indication that a rehab assignment for Lowrie could actually be close, Van Wagenen -- who said Wednesday said that Brandon Nimmo could start a rehab assignment in the next couple of days -- said that Lowrie's potential rehab assignment will probably begin after Nimmo's.
"Again, there's optimism," Van Wagenen said about Lowrie's progress and hopeful return.
If Lowrie is able to return and Jeff McNeil is back right after his required 10-days on the IL are up, the Mets could potentially use Lowrie at second base and slide McNeil back to the outfield. Or they could keep McNeil at second base and use Lowrie off the bench. The return of Nimmo in the near future would provide even more options and deepen the bench even further.
The 35-year-old Lowrie, who suffered a "low grade" right calf strain in July while rehabbing, has also dealt with knee and hamstring injuries to his left side this season.
Lowrie signed a two-year deal with the Mets in January worth $20 million after hitting .267/.353/.448 with 23 homers in 157 games last season for the Athletics.