New York Mets right-hander Jacob deGrom took the hill for a simulated game on Sunday at Citi Field – his first action since coming out of Wednesday’s intrasquad outing with back stiffness.
Per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, the 32-year-old, two-time reigning National League Cy Young Award winner’s simulated game “went well” and it “sounds like [deGrom] should be just fine for Opening Day,” this Friday at Citi Field against the Atlanta Braves.
Also from DiComo:
[DeGrom] threw 60 pitches over four-plus innings [Sunday], which is what he suggested he would throw the last time he spoke publicly.
That should put deGrom on track to throw about 85 pitches on Opening Day – maybe 15 less than he otherwise would have.
Since the start of 2017, deGrom’s 20.2 wins above replacement (FanGraphs) ranks second in the majors behind Max Scherzer of Washington (20.5 fWAR) and his 2.53 ERA over that span is tops in the league.
Without Noah Syndergaard (torn ulnar collateral ligament) in the Mets’ rotation this season, deGrom’s healthy, continued success is expected to be an integral part of New York’s winning equation.
Marcus Stroman – a proven ace in this league – is well-equipped to hold down the fort in Syndergaard’s absence, but deGrom doing deGrom things at the top of the rotation is step one in this sprint for the Mets.
We’ll keep you posted with more information as it becomes available.
