The Mets and their fans will have to wait a little longer for Jacob deGrom’s return to a major league mound.

The ace right-hander will throw on Sunday at Citi Field and make another rehabilitation start before rejoining the Mets on their active roster, manager Buck Showalter said Friday night before the series opener against the Padres.

“Jake’s where he needs to be and we’ll see how Sunday goes,” said Showalter, who declined to pinpoint the day of his next rehab start or with which affiliate it will be. “He said he feels good today.”

DeGrom, who last pitched for the Mets more than a year ago, has made three minor league starts during his rehab. On Thursday, the two-time Cy Young award winner and four-time All-Star threw 60 pitches in a simulated game at the Mets’ minor league complex in Port St. Lucie, Fla. A stress reaction in his right scapula has kept him sidelined up to this point.

The decision to have deGrom make one more minor league start was an organizational choice and the pitcher was on board with it, Showalter said. The manager also said he felt it was important that when deGrom starts for the Mets, he will be able to go deep enough into the game so that it doesn’t handicap the bullpen.

“It’s just kind of where he is in doing the things he needs to do to return,” Showalter said. “The hope is that he makes a start after his work day, and then we look to slot him in, see where everything goes. If he needs another one after that, then we’ll do it. We’ve operated quite a while without him.

“We’re looking forward to operating with him, but when it happens, it happens. … This is the best way to proceed to get him back and fit well into the team.”

DeGrom last appeared in a game for the Mets on July 7, 2021, before forearm and elbow injuries ended his season — and hopes of a third Cy Young — with a 1.08 ERA. After five innings in spring training, he felt discomfort behind his right shoulder and was shut down after an MRI exam revealed the shoulder injury.

The 34-year-old right-hander initially had been scheduled to throw a simulated game this past Tuesday, but it was pushed back two days due to “mild muscle soreness around his shoulder” that he felt last Sunday. Showalter downplayed the minor setback.

“It wasn’t perfect and we didn’t have to push it, so we didn’t,” the manager said. “When we get him back, we want this to be behind us. … Guys that pitch a lot, you got to listen to them. And you listen to the medical people who are experts at this.”

The Mets have managed not only to survive without deGrom, but also to thrive. They led the Braves in the NL East by 2 1/2 games and entered action Friday night 23 games over .500. Adding deGrom to the rotation would further bolster one of the best teams in baseball. It just may happen a bit later than everyone wanted.

“He knows what it takes to pitch up here,” Showalter said. “When it’s time, he’ll be here.”