New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom hasn’t been able to pitch in 2022 after suffering a stress reaction on his right scapula a few weeks ago. The rotation has been able to hold down the fort and then some during his absence, but they need the best pitcher in baseball back when he is fully healthy.
He was sent to the 60-day injured list this week, but not because he suffered a setback: the Mets made a waiver claim and it was a procedural move that doesn’t really affect his timeline.
The good news is that deGrom has already started his throwing program, in early May, according to Mets’ beat writer for MLB.com Anthony DiComo. He is expected back next month, but the earliest he can return would be mid-June.
The Mets hope to have him back soon
“deGrom restarted a throwing program in early May, in advance of an MRI — his third since late March — that he will undergo around the middle of the month. Prior to throwing, deGrom had spent his time loading and strengthening his shoulder, which entailed a series of resistance exercises. If all goes well, deGrom’s progression will take him from flat ground to bullpen sessions and eventually to Minor League game action, with the goal of making it back before the All-Star break. But the timeline is fluid. deGrom hasn’t pitched since being diagnosed with a stress reaction in his right shoulder at the end of Spring Training,” DiComo wrote.
Last season was full of injuries for deGrom, who ended up pitching just 92 innings for the Mets. They were magnificent, though, as he had a 1.08 ERA and struck out 45.1 percent of the hitters he faced. But he suffered lat, shoulder, and elbow issues that ultimately ended his season in July.
This time, it was his scapula the one that barked, and the Mets just want to have him healthy and on a roll in time for the stretch run and the playoffs.