Mets reportedly ‘leaning towards’ shutting Jacob deGrom down for the season

New York Mets, Jacob deGrom
Jul 9, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; National League pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) of the New York Mets throws against the American League during the third inning in the 2019 MLB All Star Game at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The 2021 season has been on a downward spiral for the New York Mets for a few weeks now. Owners of a multiple-game lead in the NL East as recently as last month, they started to lose some ground and drop important games, and are currently out of a postseason spot.

The Mets are 60-60 in the NL East, but remain 4.5 games out of the first-place Atlanta Braves as of Thursday afternoon. They have been without their best position player, Francisco Lindor, and their top pitcher, Jacob deGrom, for a while now.

Speaking of deGrom, he is currently, and officially, inside of a two-week shutdown window given to him on August 13. After that, the team would reevaluate him and determine whether or not he would be ready to resume throwing.

The situation, however, is worrisome. According to Pat Ragazzo of SI.com, the Mets are leaning towards shutting down deGrom (right elbow inflammation) for the rest of the season.

A return to action is already difficult, but the Mets are holding out hope for their ace to come back in September and help them overcome their deficit. Per Ragazzo’s source, though, there is about a “99.9%” chance that he won’t pitch again in 2021.

The Mets may not have their ace to save them

The Mets have gone 13-20 since the All-Star break and could completely fall out of contention soon if they don’t pick things up soon.

The Mets do not want to push their prized arm into rushing back, especially since they are on the verge of non-contention, having gone 12-20 since the All-Star break to fall below .500, as well as 4.5 games back in the NL East.

The Mets are reportedly not confident that deGrom’s elbow inflammation will be healed enough to resume throwing by August 27. If that’s the case, he would have run out of time to return this year.

The last time deGrom pitched was on July 7, before the All-Star break. He is currently 7-2 with a 1.08 ERA, 0.55 WHIP and 146 strikeouts in 92 innings (15 starts).