DENVER -- Closer Jeurys Familia, who is on the road back from surgery to remove a blood clot in his right arm, threw his first bullpen session Wednesday, according to assistant general manager John Ricco.

Familia threw approximately 25 pitches at the team's complex in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

"He's progressing," Ricco said. "Still a few weeks away."

Familia has been sidelined since late May, and the Mets initially estimated he could return to competitive pitching in three to four months. He will have to begin a rehab assignment before he can return, and has appeared in just 11 games this year.

Ricco added that Noah Syndergaard (partially torn right lat) and Matt Harvey (right shoulder stress injury) are both long tossing. The team believes Syndergaard and Harvey will benefit from pitching again before the season concludes.

"In general, with players you’d like to get them back on the field heading into the off-season so you remove doubt about next spring training as to where they are so they can come back," Ricco said. "For them, it helps knowing they are going to have a regular off-season, and for us, planning wise, it's more of a known quantity than going in not knowing."

First base

Jay Bruce made his eighth start at first base Wednesday. Bruce has played first base twice since the team traded Lucas Duda last Thursday.

Mets manager Terry Collins said Bruce has done a nice job at first and it could help him this off-season when he can become a free agent.

"It's a huge step for him to tell people I can do more than just play right field," Collins said. "I’ve been very impressed with how he’s handled it over there. I think he’s athletic enough to play there, got good hands, has got very, very good arm action to play first."

Support

Jose Reyes said it was important for him and other veterans to talk to Amed Rosario after the top prospect failed to make a play in the ninth inning of Tuesday's loss.

"As a young player when your teammates have your back like that after your first day in the big leagues that was huge," Reyes said. "He seemed fine with it, he wasn’t down. When you don’t see the head put down that’s real good to see from a young player.”

Briefs

Lefty reliever Josh Edgin cleared waivers after being designated for assignment, and has been assigned to Class AAA Las Vegas. ...T.J. Rivera (UCL tear) is a "ways away" and it has not been determined yet whether he will need surgery, according to Ricco. ...Outfielder Juan Lagares (thumb) was slated to play seven innings with Class AA Binghamton in his second rehab game. Ricco said he's getting close. ...Robert Gsellman (strained left hamstring) is slated to pitch again Sunday and throw 60-70 pitches, per Ricco. ...Lefty Tommy Milone (knee) is a little ahead of Gsellman in his rehab ...Jacob deGrom is starting Friday and all fans in attendance will receive his replica jersey.