Mets ace Jacob deGrom won't let blister prevent him from pitching
Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom wipes his face after allowing a solo home run to Atlanta Braves' Matt Olson during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, in Atlanta. Credit: AP/John Bazemore
ATLANTA — If the Mets need or want him, Jacob deGrom will be ready to pitch Wednesday.
He described the blister on his right middle finger as a “nonfactor,” clearing the way for him to take the ball in the regular-season finale against the Nationals if that is what team decision-makers want.
For now, manager Buck Showalter and pitching coach Jeremy Hefner have communicated to the ace: Plan on and prepare for Wednesday until told otherwise.
DeGrom’s blister led to his early exit (after 86 pitches) Friday against Atlanta. He allowed three runs on three homers in six innings. It also bothered him in his previous start (five runs in four innings against the Athletics), he said.
The other starting pitcher whose near-term plans are unclear: Max Scherzer. He made his last pre-playoffs start Saturday.
Scherzer’s day-after-a-start routine Sunday included running football-like routes in the outfield to catch baseballs.
“What a great example,” Showalter said. “He turned the page on last night, whatever it was, and he was moving on his next start and he’s preparing for the next one. He’ll come by. He knows what’s going on. He’ll say, ‘OK, this is the day I got. Am I right?’ I go, ‘Yup, that’s the day you got.’ Then you’ll start everything getting ready for that day.”
Big day for Marte
Monday is a big day for Starling Marte (fractured right middle finger). He’ll attempt to swing a bat with two hands and perhaps grip/throw a baseball, according to Showalter. It’s two key activities he has not completed for nearly a month.
If Marte is successful in that, he’ll be able to continue a baseball buildup in earnest.
Extra bases
The Mets’ rotation against the Nationals on Monday through Wednesday: Carlos Carrasco, Taijuan Walker and TBD. Washington will have Cory Abbott, Paolo Espino and Erick Fedde . . . Third baseman Brett Baty has been cleared for baseball activities. Thursday will mark five weeks since he had surgery on his right thumb.
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.
