Mets' Jacob deGrom throws first bullpen session since spring training
Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom looks of from the dugout against the Philadelphia Phillies during an MLB baseball game at Citi Field on Saturday, May 28, 2022. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
LOS ANGELES — Jacob deGrom threw his first bullpen session since spring training Saturday, another big step in his eventual return from the stress reaction in his right shoulder blade.
He tossed 19 pitches, all fastballs, at “moderate intensity,” general manager Billy Eppler said.
The Mets have not said when they expect deGrom will face hitters in a live batting practice session (and then do the same during a minor-league rehab assignment). Players like deGrom, out two months and counting, typically require at least several bullpen sessions — separated by at least a day — before upping the intensity to seeing hitters.
“Our assessments, in combination with Jake’s feedback, will drive that timeline,” Eppler said.
Manager Buck Showalter reiterated that the Mets will lean on deGrom regarding deGrom’s next steps.
“Just follow the progression,” Showalter said. “He handled this, see how he feels the next day. Is there any residual effects? Let’s move on to the next one. Obviously it’s mapped out, but plans are always tweaked as you go through them. He’s handled everything as well as you could expect.”
Dommie Baseball
After taking a couple of days to report, as players are allowed after being demoted, Dominic Smith played his first game with Triple-A Syracuse on Friday. On Saturday, he hit a tying home run in the ninth inning (in a game the minors Mets lost to Boston’s affiliate).
Showalter said Syracuse manager Kevin Boles reached out with early praise of Smith’s “attitude and work.”
“He’s been getting after it,” Showalter said.
Extra bases
James McCann (broken left wrist) in the next few days will star taking dry swings (bat but no ball), Showalter said. He’s still at least a few weeks away from returning . . . Showalter on having a three-man bench: “I’d rather have four, but we need the pitchers right now, especially on this long of a trip and this far away from home.” . . . The Mets closed their complex in Port St. Lucie, Florida, due to concerns over Tropical Storm Alex, which was in the area, Showalter said.
Tim Healey is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. Born on Long Island and raised in Connecticut, Tim has previously worked for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Boston Globe and MLB.com. He is also the author of “Hometown Hardball,” a book about minor league baseball in the northeast.
