Jacob deGrom's second rehab start set for Friday
Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom throws on Sunday, July 3, 2022, with the Port St. Lucie Mets. Credit: St. Lucie Mets/Helene Haessler
CINCINNATI — Jacob deGrom’s next minor-league outing will be a home game — for him.
His second rehabilitation appearance with Low-A St. Lucie, which according to manager Buck Showalter probably will be Friday, will be in Daytona Beach against the Reds’ affiliate, the Daytona Tortugas. That is about a half-hour from DeLand, deGrom’s hometown.
DeGrom felt fine after his five-out start Sunday for St. Lucie, and the Mets are moving full steam ahead in his comeback from the stress reaction in his right scapula.
“He felt good today [the day after],” Showalter said. “That was a good sign.”
DeGrom routinely hit 100 mph with his fastball. That is harder than he was throwing in spring training games.
“What are you going to do?” Showalter said.
Maybe tell him to not throw as hard.
“It’s coming out good. It’s not because he’s trying at max effort [and] torque. He’s just got a rested arm,” Showalter said. “I’m sure he’s got a lot of positive emotion going. You’re assuming it hasn’t been talked about. What do you think he’s going to do when he comes up here? I don’t think he’s going to dial it back there. I guess he’s getting ready for what he’s going to be asked to do up here.”
As the rotation turns
David Peterson will return from the paternity list to start Wednesday against the Reds, according to Showalter. He will wind up not missing a turn in the rotation at all, pitching on the same day he would have had he not just become a father.
Trevor Williams will get the ball opposite the Marlins on Thursday at Citi Field to open a four-game series.
Bassitt update
Chris Bassitt (COVID injured list) remains in a holding pattern as he tries to escape and/or satisfy the health protocols.
Showalter said he has been able to stay on a throwing program while sidelined and away from the team, but they don’t know yet when he’ll be back or pitch. Assistant hitting coach Jeremy Barnes also is out because of COVID protocols. Showalter said the Mets hope to get him back this weekend.
Scherzer Day
For the first time in nearly seven weeks, Max Scherzer (strained left oblique) will pitch for the Mets on Tuesday.
“Let’s throw out how effectively he pitches,” Showalter said. “To have another piece of your team back, it’s as much of an emotional lift, too, for everybody.”
He’ll oppose lefthander Nick Lodolo, who also is returning from the injured list. Lodolo is a top prospect who pitched in only three games (5.52 ERA) in April before suffering a back injury.
Extra bases
Travis Jankowski began a rehabilitation assignment Monday with Triple-A Syracuse. He went 1-for-2 with a walk and played five innings in centerfield. He’ll get a day off Tuesday, Showalter said . . . Highlighting a batch of promotions to High-A Brooklyn from St. Lucie on Monday was Alex Ramirez, a 19-year-old centerfielder and the organization’s No. 4 prospect (per MLB Pipeline). Also getting that call were righthander Dominic Hamel and outfielder Stanley Consuegra.
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.
