Jenrry Mejia will soon return to Mets facilities to begin throwing program

Jenrry Mejia has been sidelined since he was suspended eighty games for violating Major League Baseball's drug policy in early April, but he will soon report to the Mets' complex in Port St. Lucie, Florida to begin a throwing program. Manager Terry Collins told reporters that he would find a spot in the bullpen for Mejia somehow, which makes sense, despite what the team was saying around the time Mejia got suspended. Before getting suspended, Mejia experienced elbow soreness, though an MRI came back clean, showing only inflammation in his pitching elbow.

Assuming all goes smoothly with his elbow, however, Mejia would help a Mets bullpen that has already been very good this year. After starting last season in the Mets' rotation, Mejia was moved to the bullpen after a short string of bad starts. He flourished in that role, posting a 2.72 ERA and 3.15 FIP with 9.59 strikeouts and 3.36 walks per nine innings. He spent most of that time as the team's closer and developed a signature celebration for his successful outings.

Jenrry Mejia. So pumped. pic.twitter.com/iy8HR5yrZu

— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) July 26, 2014

Mejia's suspension began on the day of the Mets' fifth game of the season. Their 85th game is scheduled for Tuesday, July 7, in San Francisco, barring any postponed games between now and then. Because of Major League Baseball's silly rules, Mejia won't be eligible to pitch in the postseason should the Mets earn a spot, but having him in the bullpen through the end of the regular season increases the odds that they will.