Unfortunately, it didn’t take long for the Mets to have their first big injury scare heading into the abbreviated 2020 season. Jacob deGrom left Tuesday’s intrasquad game with back tightness according to Steve Gelbs. No further updates have been provided.
DeGrom has been in top form and is coming into the year off of two consecutive NL Cy Young awards. With a new look staff at the back-end of the rotation, deGrom is being looked to as one of the constants for the Mets’ hopes of contending for a playoff spot.
On the surface, Mets fans can breathe a sigh of relief that this isn’t more serious or having to do with any arm issues. On the other hand, the season is fast approaching as we’re into single digits in the countdown.
This is an issue that also happened back in 2016. DeGrom left an early April start with back tightness and missed two turns in the rotation before returning on April 24.
Hopefully this isn’t something that will linger for the recently turned 32-year old ace of the staff. Certainly it won’t be expected for him to pitch again before the season opener at best on July 24 against Atlanta. He was previously on schedule for one more outing before the season gets underway.
