Next for Mets' Jacob deGrom: Simulated game Tuesday
Jacob deGrom with Syracuse. Credit: NY Mets/Danny Tripodi
CHICAGO — The baseball calendar doesn’t lend itself to optimal conditions for Jacob deGrom’s continued comeback, but the Mets are going to make do.
His next step will be a simulated game/live batting practice on Tuesday in Port St. Lucie, Florida against Mets minor-leaguers, manager Buck Showalter said. That will count as his fourth rehab start, but with no actual games to play in during the All-Star break, the organization will make one up for deGrom.
Showalter did not commit to this being deGrom’s last outing before a major-league return.
If he follows the standard throwing progression, deGrom will be due for about five innings and 60 pitches at the Mets’ spring-training complex.
All of the possibilities for deGrom’s return remain the same: July 24 against the Padres if they deem him ready and keep him on regular rest, July 26 against the Yankees if they deep him ready and want to give him extra rest, or the following weekend if they decide for another minor-league game.
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.
