New York Mets right-hander Max Scherzer is expected to miss six to eight weeks after suffering a "moderate to high grade" oblique strain during Wednesday night's start against the St. Louis Cardinals, the team announced Thursday.

Scherzer removed himself from the game with two outs in the sixth inning after feeling soreness on his left side with the hope of preventing a more serious injury.

"Just felt a zing on my left side and just knew I was done," Scherzer said Wednesday. "When I felt it, I just knew there's no way you can throw another pitch, so just get out of there."