Mets ace Jacob deGrom placed on IL, but might not need MRI after all
It’s been an interesting 24 hours for New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom.
Before Friday’s game in St. Louis, manager Mickey Callaway told reporters that deGrom’s elbow was “barking” after playing catch. He then revealed that deGrom would be leaving the team to have an MRI and an examination with team doctors in New York on Monday.
However, the situation could be changing after deGrom played catch without any discomfort on Saturday.
Callaway: “he might not get an MRI if he’s feeling this good. That’s why I said he’s got to get checked out. He improved so much & I’m not a doctor, we’re going off what they say, he improved so much yesterday and he feels good today, that just had an MRI what three weeks ago...
— Matt Ehalt (@MattEhalt) April 20, 2019
deGrom: . I had a phone call with Dr. Altchek and he doesn’t seem concerned. Talking to him and kind of telling him what I was feeling, he’s not really that concerned. I’m just going to meet with him Monday and go over some things and just go from there.”
— Matt Ehalt (@MattEhalt) April 20, 2019
Pitching coach Dave Eiland told reporters deGrom may have pitched his scheduled Saturday start against the St. Louis Cardinals if this happened later in the season. That was a clear indication the Mets weren’t overly concerned about deGrom’s status.
Saturday’s update adds to the optimism.
deGrom placed on Injured List
Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen provided further clarity on the situation in a statement released Friday afternoon.
Van Wagenen said that deGrom has been sick and out of his normal routine this week. He anticipated then that deGrom would be able to return to the mound on April 26 against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Here's Brodie Van Wagenen's full statement on Jacob deGrom: pic.twitter.com/SpTi38L4Up
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) April 19, 2019
DeGrom off to relatively poor start this season
The reigning National League Cy Young winner has posted a 3.68 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in four starts this season, well off his 1.70 ERA and 0.912 WHIP from his Cy Young campaign.
After posting scoreless outings in his first two starts this season, deGrom allowed six earned runs in four innings on April 3 and three earned runs in five innings on Sunday.
The 14-8 loss to the Minnesota Twins on April 3 ended his MLB record-tying streak of 26 consecutive quality starts, with a quality start defined as pitching at least six innings while allowing three runs or fewer.
There are no reports of deGrom complaining of elbow discomfort prior to Friday.
DeGrom’s history of elbow issues
DeGrom has dealt with right elbow issues before. His 2016 season was cut short when he had to have surgery to address ulnar nerve damage.
He had Tommy John surgery in 2010.
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