Photo credit: Ed of MMO
Fourth of July weekend at Clover Park is always a special one for the Port St. Lucie and St. Lucie County community, but this July 3rd celebration felt that much more special at Clover Park with the rehab start of Jacob deGrom.
Usually at a St. Lucie Mets game, fans start trickling in closer to first pitch, but this time around, fans began flooding the stadium early with hopes of getting a close look at deGrom’s warm-ups. The atmosphere felt electric. It did not feel like your average minor league baseball game at all. Current St. Lucie Mets players also stood on and watched and learned as deGrom threw his warm-ups. All eyes were on him on the field and in the stands.
As the Mets took the field for the top of the first, there was an extra uproar as number 48 took the field. As a Port St. Lucie resident, it was great to feel that atmosphere at Clover Park. To have that excitement and energy in the ballpark on Sunday night was special, and I would believe the players felt it as well.
DeGrom cruised through his 1 2/3 innings pitched on Sunday and he looked healthy. His fastball was coming in around 98 to 100 MPH and his slider was breaking hard as well with his secondary pitches around 93 to 94 MPH. He looked ready to make a strong comeback. Not only did he look healthy, but he looked confident, controlled, and comfortable back on the mound. He cruised and looked very smooth and in rhythm on Sunday night. DeGrom had a smile on his face most of the evening and it looked like he was having fun.
His first pitch of the night was 100 MPH and he struck out the side in the first, allowing just one baserunner. He struck out the first two he faced in the second and left the game after 25 pitches and five strikeouts. Like when he entered the field, he also exited to a standing ovation from the crowd in attendance at Clover Park and had a big grin on his face. It was an encouraging sign for deGrom and the Mets.
He looks ready. He looks strong, and according to deGrom in his press conference following his outing, he felt great and feels ready to get back to New York, but also knows the importance of taking his time getting back to make sure he doesn’t rush the rehab.
“It feels 100 percent,” said deGrom on the shoulder. He also reiterated the importance of making sure it feels good moving forward, but watching him from the stands, it looked good and strong. According to deGrom, he wants to help the Mets win down the stretch in the second half. And if the shoulder stays healthy, based on watching his performance Sunday, it seems very encouraging that he will be able to do just that.
