Mets rookie Christian Scott leaves door open for ‘possible’ return this year

Christian Scott is making progress from the sprained UCL in his right elbow that has kept him out since July 21 and there remains a chance he could be back with the Mets this season.

Scott is throwing all of his pitches, but not yet at full strength.

While there remains no timetable on Scott’s potential return, the right-hander said Monday before the Mets’ 4-1 victory over the Red Sox, “I feel like it’s possible. I’m doing everything I can to put myself in that position.”

Carlos Mendoza said the 25-year-old is in a “good spot” and that he should be able to start throwing bullpen sessions in the coming days.

Scott said he wants to be patient in his comeback because he can’t afford to have any issues if he wants to get back in a game in 2024.

“I can’t get too far ahead of myself and step on the gas too much and have a setback,” Scott said. “If that happens, I’m probably looking [at pitching again] next year.”

Scott showed flashes of what made him the top Mets pitching prospect before he was called up for the first time in early May, but after putting up a 3.54 ERA in his first five starts in the majors, Scott’s ERA was 5.49 in his last four outings prior to the injury.

Francisco Alvarez didn’t start for a second straight game Monday and Mendoza said he was giving the struggling catcher a “mental break” against Boston right-hander Brayan Bello.

Mendoza added Alvarez would be in the lineup Tuesday.

Alvarez entered Monday 3-for-32 with no extra-base hits and a dozen strikeouts in his previous 12 games.

Mendoza said in Chicago that Alvarez is still “our guy” and noted he was taking extra batting practice, which he continued Monday at Citi Field.

Luis Torrens started again in Alvarez’s place on Monday and has impressed throughout his first season in Queens after being acquired from the Yankees, but has also slumped of late.

Torrens entered Monday just 5-for-34 with no extra-base hits and nine strikeouts in his previous nine games.

Phil Maton continued his strong performance as a Met, as he retired the side in order in the top of the ninth to pick up his first save of the season.

Mendoza said Edwin Diaz was unavailable, since the closer had pitched in four of the previous five games, but the manager noted Maton had also been used extensively in recent days, having appeared in three out of four games.

Maton likely only would have been used in a save situation.

The right-hander has allowed only four earned runs in 20 ¹/₃ innings since arriving in a trade with Tampa Bay and entered Monday with a 0.776 WHIP as a Met.

“He’s been everything we asked for,’’ Mendoza said. “He’s been huge for us.”

Owner Steve Cohen was in the dugout pregame and had a brief chat with Mendoza.

Asked about Cohen’s message, Mendoza said it was, “ ‘Keep it going.’ ”

Mendoza said right-hander Dedniel Nunez was not expected to throw during this homestand as he tries to return from right forearm tightness.

“His symptoms are the same as last time he was on the IL,’’ Mendoza said.

In his past three appearances, Jose Butto has given up three runs on five hits and a homer. Of Butto’s recent struggles, Mendoza said, “It’s a combination of a lot of things.”

“It’s how he bounces back from a lot of stressful innings and then [pitching] one inning and having a day off,’’ Mendoza said. “There’s a lot when it comes down to usage. He’s a high-leverage guy. We’re gonna be smart about giving him extra days [of rest].”