The New York Mets have a comfortable lead in the National League East, and it wasn't until the first half of this week that they finally lost a series. In these ways, at least, their 2022 season couldn't be going better.

But as if it wasn't bad enough that they were already down two front-line starters, now it's three.

On Wednesday, Max Scherzer was clearly in discomfort when he departed during the sixth inning of his start against the St. Louis Cardinals. On Thursday, the news via MLB.com's Anthony DiComo is that the three-time Cy Young Award winner will be sidelined for as long as two months because of an oblique strain.

Scherzer, who the Mets signed to a record-breaking $130 million contract in December, will join fellow Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom on the injured list. He's been out since spring training with a stress reaction in his shoulder. Though he's made progress in his recovery, there's still no clear timetable for his return.

Also on the injured list is hard-throwing right-hander Tylor Megill, who landed there via biceps inflammation on Sunday. He'll be out through at least May 27.

In all, not the best run of news the Mets have ever had. The only question is how they'll weather the storm.

Scherzer's Injury Is an Unsurprising Blow

Needless to say, it hurts to lose a pitcher of Scherzer's caliber.

Though he's set to turn 38 years old on July 27, he was still pitching like an ageless wonder until he got injured. Through eight starts spanning 49.2 innings, he had pitched to a 2.54 ERA and 59 strikeouts against only 11 walks.