Mets activated RHP Shaun Marcum from the 15-day disabled list. Marcum will make his much-delayed Mets' debut Saturday against the Phillies. He opened the season on the DL with a neck/shoulder injury and was cleared to return after throwing five scoreless innings in an extended spring game this week. Marcum will be on a limited pitch count in his first start back, but has always been an effective fantasy starter and is worth a roster spot in most leagues.

Shaun Marcum (beck) has been cleared to make his Mets debut on Saturday against the Phillies. Marcum tossed five scoreless innings Monday in an extended spring training game and reported no abnormal pain or discomfort in his neck or shoulder on Tuesday morning. The 31-year-old right-hander has always been an effective fantasy starter when healthy and is worth grabbing in most leagues.

Shaun Marcum (neck) went five scoreless innings on Monday morning in an extended spring game. Marcum allowed only four hits, throwing 52 pitches. As long as he wakes up Tuesday with no lingering pain or discomfort, he should be cleared to make his Mets debut on Saturday afternoon against the Phillies. Pick him up now in standard mixed fantasy leagues.

Shaun Marcum (neck) tossed four scoreless innings Thursday in an extended spring training game. Marcum allowed no hits and struck out four minor league batters. He threw only 41 pitches, though, and will need to work his way up to 90 before the Mets activate him from the disabled list. The 31-year-old right-hander is aiming to debut by the end of this month.

Shaun Marcum (neck) will not be ready to join the Mets' rotation this weekend. There had been reports that he could start on Sunday, but Marcum instead will throw 3-4 innings in extended spring training on Thursday. The veteran right-hander still seems likely to be ready to return before the end of the month.

Shaun Marcum (neck) could join the Mets' rotation on April 21. Marcum threw a two-inning simulated game on Saturday and is next slated for a five-inning sim game. If that goes well, it sounds like he could skip a rehab assignment and be thrust into the Mets' rotation. The veteran right-hander dealt with shoulder and neck issues during spring training and probably doesn't have much stamina built up, but he could be ready to give 5-6 innings a week from now.

Shaun Marcum (neck) is scheduled to throw a two inning simulated game on Saturday in Port St. Lucie. If all goes well, he'll then progress to a five inning simulated game, and then to a minor league rehab start with High-A St. Lucie. Assuming no setbacks, Marcum could be set to return to the Mets' rotation after a week of so.

Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com reports that the Mets expect Shaun Marcum (neck) to be ready for activation from the disabled list "relatively quickly." Marcum, who has dealt with shoulder pain that has more recently made its way up to his neck, will throw two innings in a simulated game in a couple of days. He'll then throw five innings after that, likely in a rehab game for High-A St. Lucie, before possibly being activated. It sounds like the Mets will only need Aaron Laffey for one more start.

Mets manager Terry Collins said Monday that Shaun Marcum (neck) has begun playing catch. Marcum was diagnosed with nerve inflammation in his neck following an MRI on last Thursday and received "trigger point injections" to help alleviate the issue. While he's beginning to ramp up his throwing program, he has a long way to go. Aaron Laffey started in his place on Sunday, but he's no lock to keep a rotation spot.

Mets manager Terry Collins said Sunday that, in a best-case scenario, Shaun Marcum (neck) would return in mid- to late-April. It's possible his rehab could drag into May, as the Mets just aren't sure how fast he'll recover from nerve inflammation in his neck. "We don't know," Collins said. "It's hard to say. If Shaun comes back pretty fast, I would think it's going to be a couple weeks. You're looking at maybe two to three starts." Marcum has yet to resume baseball activities and hasn't thrown a bullpen session in over two weeks, so he'll have to build up some arm strength after he gets healthy.