Mets’ ace Jacob deGrom shut down for a few days

New York Mets, Jacob deGrom
Mar 11, 2020; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) delivers a pitch during a spring training game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Things aren’t going as well as expected in Flushing. The New York Mets are playing under .500 with an 11-12 record, with an offense that has been severely unproductive at times. Jacob deGrom, the team ace, has been the one constant amid all the uncertainty.

DeGrom, very likely the best pitcher in the league, has a 0.51 ERA and a 0.82 FIP, which is beyond ridiculous. He improves year after year, and continuously defies physics with an annual velocity increase.

However, the Mets’ frontline starter was scratched from his scheduled start against the Cardinals on Tuesday due to inflammation in his right lat, according to a team announcement. For now, deGrm will not be placed on the injured list, where several of his teammates are, but will not throw for the next few days.

How many days? It is unknown at this point, but it will largely depend on how he is feeling. Fortunately, though, imaging didn’t show anything overly serious, just some inflammation.

The Mets hope to have deGrom back soon

Bullpen arm Miguel Castro was going to take deGrom’s place on the mound last night against the St. Louis Cardinals, but poor weather conditions forced the league to postpone it.

According to Mets’ manager Luis Rojas, the decision to push deGrom’s last two starts a day didn’t have anything to do with this particular ailment, as this is the first time he hears about it.

Once the Mets saw deGrom having some issues stretching and getting ready to pitch, they decided to scratch him and send him for further evaluation.

“Everyone’s on their toes, a bunch of guys in there said ‘Give me the ball, I’ll start,’” Rojas said. “[Marcus] Stroman, who is our pitcher tomorrow, asked me if I wanted him to start. So even though it’s been some of those challenging moments, it’s been comforting to see how the guys are just ready and they don’t get stuck in the moment. That has shown that family concept in here when you face some tough times.”

The Mets are surely hoping to get deGrom back in no time.