NEW YORK — Mets ace Jacob deGrom Will make at most one more minor league rehab starting before returning to New York’s rotation.
Two-time Cy Young Award winner was sidelined by stress reaction in his right shoulder. He threw 60 pitches in five innings Thursday at the team’s Florida complex.
Buck Showalter, Mets manager, said that deGrom felt great Friday. His next step will be a throwing practice Sunday in the context of a Citi Field work day. If everything goes according to plan, deGrom will throw for a minor league affiliate just a few days later before being placed in the big league rotation.
This means that deGrom won’t be able to return in time for the crosstown. New York Yankees Next Tuesday or Wednesday, Citi Field. His season debut could be made July 31 in Miami, or in a three-game series starting August 1-3 in Washington.
The right-hander has made three minor league rehab start totaling 8/3 innings. He’s allowed five unearned runs and five hits and has 15 strikeouts. He lasted four innings in the last Triple-A Syracuse game.
It is still unknown which affiliate deGrom will pitch next.
DeGrom, 34, was originally scheduled to throw live batting practice Tuesday. However, the outing was postponed two days later after he suffered muscle soreness in his pitching arm.
DeGrom has not pitched in the majors for over a year. DeGrom missed the second half last season due to right forearm tightness, and a sprained left elbow.
The Mets held a 2 1/2-game advantage in the NL East over Atlanta, as they set to open the second quarter Friday night at home against Atlanta. San Diego Padres.