No progress for Dillon Gee

CHICAGO — Dillon Gee is still at square one in his recovery from a strained right lat.

According to manager Terry Collins, the Mets right-hander still might be 2-3 weeks from rejoining the team; he is yet to resume throwing after he was shut down 11 days ago.

“This obviously was more than we thought it was going to be so when his body tells him it’s time and he’s OK, he’ll resume,” Collins said before the Mets’ 5-4 loss to the Cubs Wednesday at Wrigley Field. “When that is, I don’t know if anybody knows for sure.”

Daisuke Matsuzaka, who allowed four runs in 4¹/₃ innings Wednesday, is filling Gee’s rotation spot.

Once Gee resumes throwing, he will move in five-day increments, according to Collins, meaning he will need at least “a couple” of weeks rehabbing.


Jeremy Hefner is scheduled to throw from a mound Tuesday for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery, according to a club source. Matt Harvey is tentatively scheduled to throw from a mound Monday for the first time since his Tommy John surgery.


Andrew Brown arrived from Triple-A Las Vegas, but was not expected to be activated until after the game, giving the Mets an extra arm in the bullpen for an additional night. Once Brown is activated, the Mets will have a full bench.


Collins suggested fatigue might have played a role in Scott Rice’s rough performance Tuesday, when he allowed the game-winning run on two hits in the ninth inning. The lefty, who pitched to two batters Wednesday (a strikeout and a walk), has appeared in 31 games this season.

“When his sinker is on he’s very effective,” Collins said. “I think he’s probably a little tired. He’s had [31] appearances already, so he’s most likely a little fatigued even though he’s only been facing one guy, perhaps here and there.”


Buddy Carlyle was designated for assignment after pitching 1¹/₃ scoreless innings for the Mets on Wednesday. The journeyman reliever also pitched three shutout innings against the Phillies in the Mets’ 14-inning win Saturday.

Brown will be activated to take Carlyle’s roster spot, giving the Mets a full bench.