Mets’ deGrom makes it through Monday start in one piece and lowers ERA to 0.50

Feb 16, 2020; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom warms-up before a workout during spring training. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

New York Mets’ starter Jacob deGrom has had to battle all kinds of physical ailments this year. First, it was a right lat issue that sent him to the 10-day injured list. A elbow/flexor scare took place this month, and in his next start, he had some right shoulder tightness.

It almost looks like the Mets are taking a chance every time they send him to the mound. It’s understandable, though, as the team still doesn’t have such a large lead in the NL East and they played their strongest threat in the division, the Atlanta Braves, on Monday.

Thankfully, deGrom was able to pitch a gem and make it through the outing in one piece, with no injuries to report. He pitched the first half of a doubleheader in what ended up being a Mets’ 4-2 victory.

Five additional shutout innings for the Mets’ star

The 33-year-old right-hander and two-time Cy Young award winner hurled five shutout innings and lowered his ERA to 0.50 in what is shaping up to be a historic season. The pitcher has an ongoing scoreless streak of 30 frames, and had his 12th straight start with one or zero earned runs allowed.

We are running out of adjectives to describe deGrom’s performance in 2021. Consistency has been his middle name.

“That’s kind of the goal,” he told Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. “I have a set routine that I stay with and try to stay consistent in between and take it out on the field. It’s a pretty boring answer, but honestly that’s how I take the mound — it’s one pitch at a time, and once the ball leaves your hand, it’s out of your control.”

With the right lat tightness, right flexor tendinitis and right shoulder soreness in mind, Mets’ manager Luis Rojas removed deGrom after 70 pitches.

More important is the fact that there are no injuries to report, and the Mets can finally have some peace of mind while writing down deGrom’s name for his next start.