WASHINGTON — Cy Young Award winners Jacob deGrom Max ScherzerUnavailable for opening day, second year right-hander Tylor MegillGame 1 was the starting assignment. New York MetsFor the Washington Nationals.
Buck Showalter, New Mets manager, revealed Megill’s role for Thursday in New York's workout at Nationals Park. The Nationals will send Stephen Strasburg's left-hander, although Strasburg is still recovering from surgery. Patrick CorbinTo the mound.
DeGrom is the 2018 and 2019 NL Cy Young Award recipients. He will be out of action for several weeks with a problem with his right side shoulder blade. Scherzer, who was a three time Cy Young Award winner and joined the Mets as a free-agent on a three year, $130million deal, is currently dealing with right hamstring issues that developed late in spring training.
Scherzer was able to throw on flat ground in the field Wednesday. Showalter stated that Scherzer, a former Nationals pitcher will be practicing fielding Thursday before the decision on whether or not he will start Friday's second game.
Showalter stated that “Hopefully all goes well tomorrow”.
Scherzer could be moved back in the rotation if he does not pitch in Game 2.
During the workout at the stadium, Showalter spoke to Megill about his selection Thursday's game.
Megill, 26, is a Californian who stands at 6'7″ and weighs 230. After making his major league debut in June, Megill went 4-6 with a 4.52 ERA and accumulated 99 strikeouts over 89 1/3 innings for the Mets.
Notes for the game:
OF Brandon NimmoAlthough his stiff neck was feeling “a lot better” after Wednesday's workout, he could not say if he would play on Thursday. Nimmo felt his neck tighten during Sunday's exhibition match and told Wednesday that it was due to a “range motion” issue. It affects such things as turning around to see the pitcher while batting. … RHP signed by the Mets John CurtissTo a one year major league contract with a club choice for 2023. The 29-year-old reliever, who had reconstructive elbow surgery last Aug., will not be playing this season due to the 60-day IL. … Other than that, New York selected LHP contracts Chasen Shreve Travis JankowskiDesignated INF Travis BlankenhornRHP Jordan YamamotoFor assignment.
