Jacob deGrom was on pace to have one of the best seasons in MLB history. A perennial Cy Young candidate, he was having an MVP-caliber campaign before injuries got the best of him again.
Limited to only fifteen starts, deGrom was expected to be back at full strength in time for the start of the season. Now, it seems like he's suffered a big setback and may be forced to start the season on the shelf again.
“We are going to see how he is in the morning before we scratch him," Mets manager Buck Showalter told the media. “But he has to be pretty convincing to pitch him (Friday). I’ll be surprised if he pitches (Friday) -- rain or no rain.”
Mets Scratch Jacob deGrom From Friday's Start
"Mets ace Jacob deGrom will undergo an MRI on his right shoulder Friday after he felt some tightness while playing catch on Thursday, manager Buck Showalter said. New York scratched deGrom from his scheduled spring training start on Friday," reported The Athletic.
"The right-hander, the best pitcher in baseball in the first half of last year, missed the final three months of the 2021 season because of forearm and elbow injuries. DeGrom had a 1.08 ERA and 146 strikeouts in 92 innings over 15 starts last season," the report added.
What's Next For deGrom?
Jacob deGrom is set to make north of $33.5 million this season. He signed a five-year, $137.5 million contract in 2019 but is expected to opt out after this campaign, although he admitted his desire to stay with the Mets for life.
There's no denying that he's the best pitcher in baseball by a long stretch when healthy, but constant injury concerns might take a toll on his market value, especially if he can make at least 20 starts in 2022.
