#Mets provide updates on Brandon Nimmo, Jacob deGrom

MIAMI — Brandon Nimmo is encouraged by his early progress in rehabbing his strained right hamstring.

The Mets outfielder tested his leg the past two days, jogging at about half-speed before increasing the intensity somewhat on Wednesday, without discomfort. He’s hopeful his absence from the Mets lineup won’t extend much beyond the minimum 10-day injured list stint. Nimmo has also been taking swings and throwing.

“I would like to think maybe some of that work I was putting in before, trying to take care of the body, is paying off now,” said Nimmo, who was placed on the IL following Game 1 of Saturday’s doubleheader in Washington.

“Hopefully that continues and hopefully we keep getting back sooner and sooner than anticipated. Right now it feels great, but obviously I haven’t sprinted. That will be the last thing to come, so it’s hard to say right now.”

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Jacob deGrom did not throw pregame, but manager Luis Rojas indicated the right-hander remains on schedule in building up for a possible return this season.

“There is no step back,” Rojas said, responding to a question about deGrom’s lack of activity pregame. “He’s got a throwing program and he’s been clear to throw for two weeks now, so nothing more than that.”

The manager added that deGrom, who is returning from an elbow sprain, would likely begin throwing from a mound “soon.” The Mets ace hasn’t pitched since July 7.

Noah Syndergaard also falls into the “soon” category of throwing from a mound, according to Rojas, after returning from COVID-19 protocol. Syndergaard has been long-tossing for two days at Citi Field. He spent the previous 10 days in quarantine, keeping loose by throwing into a bed sheet.

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Nimmo, who grew up in Wyoming rooting for the Rockies, said he was thrilled for Larry Walker (a boyhood hero of his) for getting inducted into Cooperstown.

“I loved the way he played the game and his swing was beautiful as well,” Nimmo said. “He was a guy who grew up in cold weather in Canada, so a big inspiration to guys like me.”

Nimmo added that he would like to meet new Hall of Fame inductee Derek Jeter.

“I won’t be afraid to admit that I wasn’t really a Yankees fan when I was young, but I had a ton of respect for Derek Jeter and the way he played the game and the way he went about his business and his life,” Nimmo said.

“I do respect the man a lot and what he did in his career and the goals that he set and how much he was able to win, so I would love to meet him some day.”