Mets Insider Reveals When Jacob deGrom Can Get On The Mound

While Max Scherzer‘s return is imminent, the New York Mets have been more cautious with ace Jacob deGrom.

He has been throwing bullpens and live batting practices for a while, so the next step in his recovery from a stress reaction on his right scapula would be facing minor league hitters in live games.

The Mets are still mulling over his immediate future, but it appears, according to New York Post’s Mike Puma, they are leaning towards starting a minor league rehab assignment on Sunday.

“Sounds like the plan if deGrom pitches Sunday in a rehab start for St. Lucie – and the Mets are leaning in that direction, although have not made it official – would be one or two innings in that outing. The expectation is he will need three or four starts in the minors,” Puma tweeted.

Sounds like the plan if deGrom pitches Sunday in a rehab start for St. Lucie – and the Mets are leaning in that direction, although have not made it official – would be one or two innings in that outing. The expectation is he will need three or four starts in the minors.

— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) June 30, 2022

deGrom Is Getting Closer

deGrom has been out since spring training with the ailment: in reality, he hasn’t pitched at the major league level since June 2021 with an elbow issue.

The rehab start at Single-A St. Lucie, if he ends up making it, is a necessary step for the Mets to envision a July return for their star.

He is just about ready for that next major step.

If things go according to the plan and deGrom completes three or four rehab outings in the Mets’ minor league system, he should return at some point in July.

There was a chance he made it back before the All-Star break, but that doesn’t seem likely at this point.

deGrom, who had a minuscule 1.08 ERA last year in 92 frames, will be an asset for the Mets as long as he is healthy.

He has a 1.94 ERA with 774 strikeouts in 581 innings between 2018-2021.