Scherzer clarifies dog bite on throwing hand: 'Literally a non-story'

New York Mets right-hander Max Scherzer has clarified reports of a dog bite on his hand, issuing a statement Saturday explaining the incident.

"Just clearing a few things up," the three-time Cy Young winner began on Twitter. "My dog Rafi hurt her leg on a run. She was howling in pain, and I went to calm her down by putting my hands on her. When I did that, she bit my right hand. Fortunately, it wasn't a bad bite. I took one day off from throwing and was able to long toss the next day. This will have no effect on my rehab, and this is literally a non-story."

Scherzer is currently rehabbing from an oblique injury that has kept him sidelined since May 19.

Initial reports of Scherzer's injury indicated that the eight-time All-Star was bitten on his non-throwing left hand, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post.

The 37-year-old signed a record three-year, $130-million contract with the Mets this past winter. When healthy this year, he has predictably been an ace, authoring a 2.54 ERA and 2.99 FIP in eight starts over 49 2/3 innings.

Despite currently being without Scherzer and missing Jacob deGrom all season, the Mets find themselves atop the NL East with a 35-19 record entering Saturday.

While Scherzer said the bite won't cause any setbacks to his rehab, this is the second freakish ailment by a Mets player over the past couple of days. Francisco Lindor missed Friday's game after closing a set of double doors in his hotel on his finger.