Photo by Ed Delany of MMO

Updated Post: May 21, 10:10 p.m.

Jon Morosi of MLB.com reports that the Mets expect Jacob deGrom‘s next start will be at the big league level. The Mets ace pitched in A-Ball on Thursday night for the St. Lucie Mets and was unhittable, he struck out eight in three scoreless innings.

He also hit 102 mph with his fastball and 95 mph with one of his sliders. Following the three innings, he continued in throwing in the bullpen under the watchful eye of Mets pitching coach Jeremy Hefner.

Four days of rest would slate deGrom to start against the Rockies at Citi Field on Tuesday.

Original Post: May 20, 7:47 p.m. 

Jacob deGrom completed a rehab start with the St. Lucie Mets as the best pitcher in baseball works his way back from right side ailments.

DeGrom threw three innings against Low-A hitters for the Palm Beach Cardinals. He allowed zero runs and struck out eight batters over 41 pitches.

The stadium radar gun said deGrom touched 101.9 miles per hour with his fastball and was throwing his slider between 94-95 m.p.h. It’s casual stuff Low-A hitters face every day.

All in all, deGrom hit 100 MPH 13 times and 99 MPH 8 times.

Should deGrom’s lat and back–the places he was feeling “tightness” over his last couple starts–recover normally over the next couple days, deGrom could return to the Mets during next week’s home series versus the Colorado Rockies. He’d provide a mental and talent boost to a pitching staff and roster depleted by injuries.

Photo by Ed Delany of MMO

According to the St. Lucie Mets’ radio broadcast, deGrom brought the team Chick Fil A for lunch today. He was also an attraction in the dugout before the game.

DeGrom is the third Mets pitcher to make an appearance for the St. Lucie Mets this week. Seth Lugo pitched an inning to start Tuesday’s game, and Noah Syndergaard made his first rehab start post-Tommy John surgery on Wednesday.

It wasn’t a great week for the Palm Beach Cardinals to roll into town.