NEW YORK — Mets ace Jacob deGrom After a slow start to his minor league rehab, he pitched four innings Wednesday for Triple-A Syracuse. He was able to finish strong and make it through the final outing before returning to New York’s rotation.
DeGrom was sidelined for the season due to a stress reaction in his right hip. He gave up four runs on two homers and threw 41 out of 67 pitches for strikes. In a game that began at 12 :05 p.m.
The Mets could see the two-time NL Cy Young Award winning pitcher return to Washington early next week. He could pitch Monday or Tuesday and then be on full rest for a start in the five-game series at home against Atlanta, which is potentially crucial.
New York entered Wednesday leading the NL East by two games over the Braves.
The Mets haven’t committed to this timeline, and Buck Showalter, manager, said that deGrom may need another rehab start after this one. DeGrom knows what it takes to pitch in the majors, he said.
Since July 7, 2021, the 34-year old right-hander has not appeared in a major league game. The right-hander missed the second part of last season due to right forearm tightness. A sprained elbow also caused him to miss the entire season. This year, he suffered the scapula injuries in spring training.
In total, he’s had four minor league rehab start. Two were at Class A St. Lucie while the other two were with Syracuse. He’s allowed five earned runs and seven hits, with 21 strikeouts (four walks) and seven hits. His radar gun readings were 100 mph in his first appearance.
He then pitched a 60-pitch simulation game in Florida, followed by a side session at Citi Field in New York. Two days later, deGrom suffered minor shoulder soreness and the simulated game had to be rescheduled.
Wednesday’s only hits deGrom gave up were a Brewer Hicklen single homer and Drew Waters three-run drive. They were sandwiched by consecutive walks and two strikeouts during the second inning. Omaha Storm Chasers. DeGrom then struck out Kansas City Royals All-Star catcher Salvador Perez For the second time, he retired his last seven batters.
Perez is in Triple-A Omaha on an injury rehabilitation assignment.