New York Mets starting pitcher Jose Quintana, on the injured list after suffering a fractured rib in spring training, is taking a big step forward in his rehabilitation.Anthony DiComo, the Mets' beat writer for MLB.com, reported that Quintana received positive word on his CT scan Friday as he recovers from rib surgery. He is set to begin mound work on Saturday. Quintana told DiComo:"It's time to get ready for baseball."Anthony DiComo@AnthonyDiComoJosé Quintana (recovery from rib surgery) received positive news on his CT scan today and will begin mound work for the first time tomorrow. That's a huge step in his rehab."It's time to get ready for baseball," Quintana said.Timeline still unclear, but early July looks good.47038José Quintana (recovery from rib surgery) received positive news on his CT scan today and will begin mound work for the first time tomorrow. That's a huge step in his rehab."It's time to get ready for baseball," Quintana said.Timeline still unclear, but early July looks good.Neither the New York Mets nor Jose Quintana have placed a timeline on his return to the team's rotation, but DiComo reported that early July "looks good."For many Mets fans, Quintana's return in July would be just like picking up a pitcher before the MLB trade deadline.Daniel Berke@Daniel_Berke@AnthonyDiComo There’s our deadline trade baby!2@AnthonyDiComo There’s our deadline trade baby!j☝️@TubbyEnjoyer“We already got our big trade deadline acquisition, and that’s José Quintana’s return from the IL” twitter.com/anthonydicomo/…Anthony DiComo@AnthonyDiComoJosé Quintana (recovery from rib surgery) received positive news on his CT scan today and will begin mound work for the first time tomorrow. That's a huge step in his rehab."It's time to get ready for baseball," Quintana said.Timeline still unclear, but early July looks good.438José Quintana (recovery from rib surgery) received positive news on his CT scan today and will begin mound work for the first time tomorrow. That's a huge step in his rehab."It's time to get ready for baseball," Quintana said.Timeline still unclear, but early July looks good.“We already got our big trade deadline acquisition, and that’s José Quintana’s return from the IL” twitter.com/anthonydicomo/…DMRCO@DMRCO99@AnthonyDiComo He can be important@AnthonyDiComo He can be importantThe initial prognosis for Jose Quintana had him not returning to the New York Mets staff until after the All-Star Break, so an early July debut would beat the original timeline by a week or two.Quintana, whom the New York Mets signed to a two-year, $26 million contract this offseason to strengthen the back half of their rotation, was sidelined after throwing less than an inning in his first spring training game on March 5.Rob from LBI@New12Robert@AnthonyDiComo This is great news for the Mets and Jose Quintana personally. Happy for him.2@AnthonyDiComo This is great news for the Mets and Jose Quintana personally. Happy for him.IraSamet@madteam3This would be really sweet if he can return in early July. twitter.com/AnthonyDiComo/…Anthony DiComo@AnthonyDiComoJosé Quintana (recovery from rib surgery) received positive news on his CT scan today and will begin mound work for the first time tomorrow. That's a huge step in his rehab."It's time to get ready for baseball," Quintana said.Timeline still unclear, but early July looks good.47938José Quintana (recovery from rib surgery) received positive news on his CT scan today and will begin mound work for the first time tomorrow. That's a huge step in his rehab."It's time to get ready for baseball," Quintana said.Timeline still unclear, but early July looks good.This would be really sweet if he can return in early July. twitter.com/AnthonyDiComo/…Kevin 🇨🇴@Kevthemanz95@AnthonyDiComo Come on Quintana, recover soon. I’ll bring my Colombia flag to support you all the way! Last time the Mets had a Colombian player was Dilson Herrera but he legit disappeared!@AnthonyDiComo Come on Quintana, recover soon. I’ll bring my Colombia flag to support you all the way! Last time the Mets had a Colombian player was Dilson Herrera but he legit disappeared!Jose Quintana was just one of the injuries to beset the Mets starting rotation this season. Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander have also missed time due to injury. It's fair to say that fans have seen enough of David Peterson, who was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday after posting an 8.08 ERA as a Mets' starter.MVPete 🇵🇷@PeteForMVP@AnthonyDiComo anything is better than david peterson1@AnthonyDiComo anything is better than david peterson🗽✭@BatytoHeavenExcited for him to come back twitter.com/anthonydicomo/…Anthony DiComo@AnthonyDiComoJosé Quintana (recovery from rib surgery) received positive news on his CT scan today and will begin mound work for the first time tomorrow. That's a huge step in his rehab."It's time to get ready for baseball," Quintana said.Timeline still unclear, but early July looks good.238José Quintana (recovery from rib surgery) received positive news on his CT scan today and will begin mound work for the first time tomorrow. That's a huge step in his rehab."It's time to get ready for baseball," Quintana said.Timeline still unclear, but early July looks good.Excited for him to come back twitter.com/anthonydicomo/…Leo@leonymets@AnthonyDiComo will be very nice to have Verlander, Scherzer Senga, Quintana, Cookie/Megill.@AnthonyDiComo will be very nice to have Verlander, Scherzer Senga, Quintana, Cookie/Megill.Of course, while news of Quintana's return is good for the future, Mets fans are concerned with the present. However, there may be little reason for New Yorkers to riot as for the first time this season, youngsters Brett Baty, Mark Vientos, and Francisco Alvarez are all in the lineup for Friday's series opener against the Cleveland Guardians at Citi Field.Donnie@DonnieB35@AnthonyDiComo Good news but post the lineup so we can riot Tony4@AnthonyDiComo Good news but post the lineup so we can riot TonyNew York Mets need Jose Quintana backJose QuintanaIn a perfect world, Quintana was seen as an ideal fourth or fifth starter for a Mets rotation that featured Scherzer, Verlander and Kodai Senga. Quintana made 32 starts with the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates in 2022, going 6-7 with a 2.93 ERA and 1.21 WHIP.It was a career resurgent season for Quintana, who had bounced around from the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Angels and San Francisco Giants before re-finding himself with Pittsburgh.