Mets RHP Jacob deGrom has opted for season-ending surgery to repair the ulnar nerve in his right elbow. He will have the procedure this week, Terry Collins told reporters before Tuesday’s game with the Braves.
DeGrom, 28, was initially slated to pitch last Sunday, but after throwing a bullpen session Friday, he felt the recurring pain in his right elbow while tossing a ball during practice.
Doctors will move the ulnar nerve, which had been causing intermittent elbow discomfort as well as finger numbness over his last 5-6 starts. DeGrom went 7-8 this season with a 3.04 ERA in 24 starts.
Original Report – Sep 18
Jacob deGrom who was expected to rejoin the rotation and start on Sunday, is likely out for the season according to general manager Sandy Alderson who spoke to reporters at Citi Field before the game on Saturday.
After throwing a bullpen session on Saturday, deGrom felt a twinge and some pain in his elbow and team doctors determined he will need surgery to repair the ulnar nerve in his elbow.
“I think we knew that it was something that was going to have to be done in the offseason, and we were trying to put it off until then. It’s definitely disappointing,” said deGrom.
Manager Terry Collins said that deGrom was very upset when learning his season was over because of continued pain in his elbow and forearm.
“I talked to him again this morning, and he’s still very upset at the fact he still feels it today. I just said ‘look, you’ve got to move forward and you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.”
“We just have to prepare not to have him,” Collins continued. “It was hard. When he walked in, I could tell something was wrong. But again, you want to try to make sure. He was really down about it because he was so excited about coming back.”
Alderson said that the surgery is not as serious as Tommy John surgery, but that it’s still a significant procedure and an unfortunate loss for the club.
The likely recovery time for ulnar nerve surgery is anywhere between 4-6 months although each case is very different. DeGrom has already had Tommy John surgery on that elbow to repair the ulnar collateral ligament.
The 28-year old righty ends his season having made 24 starts for the Mets and posting a 3.04 ERA and 1.20 WHIP while striking out 143 batters in 148 innings pitched. DeGrom had a 7-8 record.
The Mets have now lost Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler and deGrom for the season. All three are expected to be ready for spring training.
