#Mets place pitcher Joey Lucchesi on IL in surprising move

The Mets trainers’ room has been standing room only for most of the season, and pitcher Joey Lucchesi became the latest player assigned to the injury list, between games of Saturday’s doubleheader in Washington.

Lucchesi, who tossed 5 ¹/₃ scoreless innings in Friday’s 2-0 loss to the Nationals, was shelved due to left elbow inflammation to clear roster space for the activation of outfielder Albert Almora Jr.

The left-handed Lucchesi has allowed just three earned runs in 22 ²/₃ innings over his past five outings, lowering his ERA for the season from 9.19 to 4.46.

Starting pitchers Carlos Carrasco (hamstring) and Noah Syndergaard (elbow) have been on the injured list all season, while staff ace Jacob deGrom has departed each of his past two starts early with right flexor tendinitis and shoulder soreness, respectively.

DeGrom, the two-time Cy Young winner, said following Saturday’s side session — on his 33rd birthday — that he plans to make his next scheduled start Monday against Atlanta as long as he doesn’t experience any soreness on Sunday.

---

The Mets acquired right-handed pitcher Troy Miller from the Blue Jays for Jacob Barnes, who was designated for assignment last week. Miller, 24 has appeared in seven games this season for Single-A Vancouver and Double-A New Hampshire and pitched to a 4.93 ERA. He was originally signed by the Blue Jays as an undrafted free agent in 2018.

---

Jeff McNeil will be activated from the injured list for Monday’s doubleheader against the Braves at Citi Field, manager Luis Rojas confirmed. The second baseman might serve as the designated hitter for Triple-A Syracuse again Sunday before he returns, Rojas added.

---

Almora started in center field in Game 2 of Saturday’s doubleheader, his first appearance since suffering shoulder and toe injuries crashing into the wall May 11 against the Orioles.

— Additional reporting by Mike Puma in Washington