Mets' Jacob deGrom feels good after simulated game
Jacob deGrom with Syracuse. Credit: NY Mets/Danny Tripodi
Jacob deGrom reported feeling good after completing his simulated game as planned Thursday night, throwing 60 pitches across more than four innings against Mets minor leaguers in Port St. Lucie, Florida, a team official said.
That development was more interesting than usual because deGrom initially was scheduled to make this outing on Tuesday. But when he experienced what the Mets described as “mild muscle soreness around his shoulder” over the weekend, they pushed him back two days “out of an abundance of caution.”
Without any minor-league games for deGrom to participate in during the first half of this week because of the All-Star break, the Mets made one up for him. He upped his pitch count — after throwing 42 in an appearance with Triple-A Syracuse last week — as well as his innings count, getting a fifth “up,” in the baseball parlance, for at least a partial fifth inning.
DeGrom, who hasn’t pitched in more than a year due to a series of injuries, has missed this season due to a stress reaction in his right shoulder blade.
The Mets have not said when deGrom will return to the majors. If they and he deem him ready for his next game, that would line up to be Tuesday or Wednesday against the Yankees. If they opt for another minor-league start, it would push him to the Mets’ next road trip, against the Marlins (July 29-31) and Nationals (Aug. 1-3).
Dom sidelined. The Mets put Dominic Smith on the injured list, retroactive to Sunday, with a sprained right ankle. He suffered that injury while running the bases Saturday against the Cubs. That leaves the team with an open roster spot to fill Friday. Among their options: first baseman/DH/outfielder Daniel Palka and infielder/outfielder Travis Blankenhorn, who have crushed righthanders during their strong seasons for Triple-A Syracuse. They considered calling up Palka last month but wound up bringing Smith back instead.
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.
