NEW YORK -- Jed Lowrie's 18-month injury saga took another turn on Wednesday, when the team announced the infielder will undergo a series of platelet-rich plasma and stem cell injections. Lowries timeline to return to the Mets will depend upon the outcome of that treatment. Its almost like a progression

NEW YORK -- Jed Lowrie's 18-month injury saga took another turn on Wednesday, when the team announced the infielder will undergo a series of platelet-rich plasma and stem cell injections. Lowries timeline to return to the Mets will depend upon the outcome of that treatment.

Its almost like a progression of injections and well see how everything responds, and [if] the pain goes away and hes able to join us at some point this season, Mets manager Luis Rojas said. Thats the plan.

The injection regimen was presented to Lowrie as a course of therapy after examinations from both Mets physician Dr. David Altchek and an independent, third-party doctor. Lowrie has been unable to play due to PCL laxity, a loosening of a left knee ligament that causes him pain when he runs. Although Lowrie feels some relief from the pain when he wears a rehab brace on his knee, the brace is too large and restricting for him to wear in games.

Until Lowrie can play with a smaller, more mobile brace, he will not come off the 45-day injured list. He is not eligible to come off anyway until Sept. 3.

Lowrie, 36, has taken just eight plate appearances since signing a two-year, $20 million contract in Jan. 2019. He has spent the vast majority of his tenure on the IL due to left knee trouble and a right calf strain. Lowrie initially sustained a sprained left knee capsule in Feb. 2019, before the team revealed that he was also battling more general, undefined left side issues.

Only last month did the Mets announce the updated PCL laxity diagnosis for Lowrie. Rojas said he was unsure if Lowrie, who was unavailable for comment, considered surgery or only the injection regimen.

Even if Lowrie can make it back in September, he will find playing time hard to come by. The Mets feature a crowded middle infield with Amed Rosario, Andrs Gimnez, Robinson Can and others all jockeying for reps. J.D. Davis has become the starter at third base, one of Lowries primary positions, while Gimnez has developed into an early National League Rookie of the Year candidate at second and short. Given his physical issues, it seems unlikely Lowrie would contribute anywhere other than at designated hitter, which is Dominic Smiths primary position.

From the trainers room Starting pitcher Michael Wacha (right shoulder inflammation) restarted a throwing program Tuesday at Citi Field, playing catch at distances up to 75 feet. He felt better, according to Rojas, but he will miss at least two starts on the IL. For now, Robert Gsellman has taken Wachas rotation spot.

Can (left adductor strain) could return from the IL as soon as hes eligible on Friday. Can was scheduled to play in a simulated game Wednesday at the Mets alternate site in Brooklyn, which Rojas called another step ahead for the veteran second baseman. When Can returns, the Mets will have to be creative to find playing time for Gimnez.

Shortstop sidelined Rosario was out of the lineup for a second straight game on Wednesday due to the lingering effects of a stomach bug, though he was available off the bench. Gimnez filled in at shortstop.

Everyday Daz The key to Edwin Dazs recent run of success out of the bullpen? Pitching more often.

When the Mets removed Daz from the closers role last week, he requested that the team use him more frequently than once every four or five days. Rojas listened, deploying Daz five times in a 10-day stretch from Aug. 2-11, and the reliever responded with 10 strikeouts and one walk over five scoreless innings.

Now that Ive been pitching more consecutively and more often, I feel like my pitches are all sharp, Daz said through an interpreter. But in regards to closing, thats not my decision. Im open to pitching whatever inning they tell me to come in -- whether its the sixth, seventh, eighth -- it doesnt matter to me. As long as they put the ball in my hands, Ill be ready to help the team.

Since Dazs unofficial demotion, Rojas has exclusively turned to Seth Lugo in save situations. The team is taking a committee approach, however, making it possible for Daz to garner more save chances again if he keeps pitching well.

Anthony DiComo has covered the Mets for MLB.com since 2007. Follow him on Twitter @AnthonyDiComo, Instagram and Facebook.

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Lowrie to have injections for knee pain relief - MLB.com