Mets ace Jacob deGrom has been dealing with tightness in his right forearm and has been shut down until the discomfort subsides. Manager Luis Rojas told Deesha Thosar of The New York Daily News (Twitter links), SNY’s Steve Gelbs, and other reporters that an MRI didn’t reveal any structural damage to deGrom’s forearm.
The problem existed prior the All-Star break, as Rojas said deGrom felt tightness while throwing a bullpen session last weekend. The forearm tightness continued during a side session on Friday, so the Mets opted to halt deGrom’s throwing so further testing could be done. No mention was made of the injured list, though an IL stint seems inevitable considering that the Mets will surely take every precaution in making sure deGrom is fully healthy.
DeGrom has already hit the IL once this season, missing two weeks due to tightness in his right side. Despite that missed time and other nagging injuries, the right-hander is in the midst of his most spectacular season yet, with a record-challenging 1.08 ERA over 92 innings and a wealth of league-leading numbers in most major categories (14.3 K/9, 13.27 K/BB rate, 1.1 BB/9, and an absurd 365 ERA+).
Losing deGrom for any amount of time would be a major blow to a Mets team hanging onto first place in the NL East, and the specter of a long-term forearm injury would be nothing short of devastating. DeGrom has a Tommy John surgery on his record, as he underwent the procedure just a few months after the Mets selected him in the ninth round of the 2010 draft. The major surgery and a few other lesser arm problems over the years didn’t stop deGrom from becoming arguably the best pitcher of his generation, winning NL Cy Young Awards in 2018-19 and looking to be on track for a third this season.
There is no way to actually replace deGrom in the event of a longer-term absence, and the task will be even more difficult for a Mets team that was already looking to add some rotation help at the trade deadline. The trio of deGrom, Marcus Stroman, and Taijuan Walker has been excellent, while the back end of the rotation has been a revolving door thanks to injuries and underperformance. The team is hopeful that Carlos Carrasco will be able to make his Mets debut soon, and rookie Tylor Megill has started his career off with a 3.50 ERA in 18 innings, perhaps earning a longer look if New York can’t find a more experienced option on the trade market.
SoxRewl
Oh no…
Francys01
The day has been news mainly about the Mets. Hopefully, deGrom can be healthy and be back soon. Metsfan22 where are you? I still remembered when you said “Why is a cardinals fan talking about signings? Over the next 50 years you might get 5 years Total were you spend more than us.”
jmchale40
Metsfan22 isn’t worst on here.
Ducktbent guy and A’sfanuk take that award. Jimmertree was up there when he flooded the board with scouts eyes.
realmetsfan22
he is most certainly the worst. he laughs when other players get hurt on other teams.
LordD99
Ducky is easily one of the most reasonable posters. Sane comments in a sea of insanity.
MyWhiteSoxAreDirty
Imagine my shock… With how hard this guy throws, was only a matter of time
86mets
Agreed. I love deGrom, but he can be just as effective sitting 95-96 as he is at 98+. He might not be quite so spectacular as he has been this year but he has two Cy Young awards to prove he can succeed at something less than 100 mph on every other pitch. I think the extra velo is the root source of all his issues this year. He needs to back off the extra heat imho.
RobM
It is fair to wonder if he’s so focused on Gibson’s 1968 ERA and the individual accomplishment that he’s lost track of the team goal.
YankeesBleacherCreature
Just curious what he would be doing differently if he was trying to achieve only team goals?
citizen
Statcast shows more of the 4 seamer and less of the other piches.
thekid9
Thank you Johnny Superscout
LordD99
Sadly, he’s heading toward a second TJS. Formerly had TJS. Has shown increased velocity. Having forearm tightness.
rct
Thanks for giving us the inside scoop, but aren’t you worried about losing your job? I mean, with this much inside information, surely you are the Mets Team Physician, no?
LordD99
Simply pointing out he’s a textbook case, down to medical history, the spike in velocity that creates additional strain, and the symptoms. I hope it doesn’t happen. Love watching him pitch. It’s not one data point. It’s multiple data points. Industry research points toward increased likelihood of TJS. Doesn’t mean it will happen this year or ever, but the data points in that direction. Why would my noting it upset you?
Noel1982
He’s just find no big deal! So both sides of the arm chair doctor bases are covered
tstats
No guys lord99 is right. Historical trends support their case
RobM
It seems there are some fans here that would prefer sound and data-backed viewpoints be censored.
johnrealtime
Where did anyone present data?
rct
‘Multiple data points’ such as whom? A ‘textbook case’ in what sense? ‘Down to medical history’, can you actually be specific here? Which pitchers have shown a ‘spike in velocity’ which lead to a second TJS? And what age were they? And how do they compare specifically to deGrom?
Your whole post is vague bluster and lacking in actual information. It’s total speculation presented as factual data. I’m not ‘upset’. I’m mocking you for being an absolute blowhard who knows nothing. Nothing you’ve said has any substance but you’re acting like you’re the Mets team physician.
YankeesBleacherCreature
@rct The only thing we know definitively is that his MRI came back clean. There has been only 43 MLB pitchers whom have had TJ surgery twice and even that is a small sample size to draw any predictive data from.
alwaysgo4two
Yup….just like Henry Rowengartner.
thekid9
I love…. “Headed for his a second TJS…. He had one previously”
Thank you Mr Obvious
Dayton M.
exactly right
a blind man could see this coming a mile away
metsfan104
Oy Vey….
MetsFan22
lol he came back clean relax guys. We are saving him for your favorite team com October….
Baseball 1600
Mets will get swept by any 3 of the NL west teams. If they manage to win a game vs them it will be because of DeGrom but that’s it.
bucsfan0004
Wouldnt the NL Least winner play the winner of the NL Central, assuming the NL West team has the best record and would play the winner of the WC play-in game?
YourDreamGM
My favorite team isn’t the braves.
DarkSide830
a team that cant beat PIT is going to play in October?
Francys01
DarksSide830- Lol.
MetsFan22
It’s baseball not basketball or football.
RobM
Painful, but true.
Bochys Retirement Fund
Might want to get that lineup to actually hit well. A sub .600 record offense won’t look great against the NL West big 3.
MetsFan22
Tell that to the Padres… who we beat..
realmetsfan22
why you keep saying we? you are not on the team
sfes
The team reminds me of the 2015 team. Three guys at the top throwing great, but they had more startling depth. Weak lineup in need of a deadline bat and a couple relievers. That team won 90 I believe but this team won’t. Losing deGrom would be devastating to anyone especially the Mets though. That team did beat the Kershaw/Greinke Dodgers in the 1st round and swept a power house Cubs team in the NLCS. The NLE winner would play the NLC winner most likely this year in the 1st round. But this is baseball. In a short series anything and crazy things can and will happen. That’s why “it ain’t over til it’s over.”
thecrown24
This is what Metsfan22’s comments on Acunas injury brings to fellow Mets Fans. Bad JuJu!!
RobM
What’s interesting is I believe Mets fans dislike Metsfan22 more than non-Mets fans.
TomahawkChop
It’s a toss up for sure
miltpappas
“Forearm Tightness”. The death knell of pitchers.
allweatherfan
He has to keep taking breaks so he can stay fresh enough to keep that ERA low. If he had to pitch a full slate he wouldn’t be near that 1 ERA.
ABCD
It is a question whether he will qualify for the ERA title, not just Gibson’s record.
YankeesBleacherCreature
Where does this narrative come from?? Has DeGrom himself or anyone intimate with the team publicly implied or stated that DeGrom wants to eclipse Gibson’s mark?
Bochys Retirement Fund
A small bittersweet thing if DeGrom goes down for me is that’ll put Gausman in line for the Cy Young.
allweatherfan
I’d rather the Mets lose with DeGrom and Lindor healthy but I’ll take what I can get.
Cheeseman Forever
Or Woodruff, Burnes or Peralta…
BobGibsonFan
How do you replace a .500 pitcher?
Oh wait, hes winning this year. He needs a 1.00 era to win
Padres458
hes 77-53.
gbs42
Gibby, thanks for the post demonstrating how useless pitcher W-L record is.
Deleted_User
LOL
mrperkins
Where’s the thoughts and prayers guy??? He’s needed!
phnxdark23
Bad news for baseball if this ends up being anything serious, he’s obviously the best pitcher in baseball and has been a treat to watch this year. This is also a good reminder of why all the people who said the Braves are done because of the Acuna injury need to not be such a prisoner of the moment. No one in this division is playing well, everyone is dealing with injuries to their biggest names, and all of them have talent enough remaining to win a war of attrition. I would probably still go with the Mets as the favorite if I was forced to pick right now, but if you told me any of the 5 teams are going to catch a hot streak and win the division, it wouldn’t be a shock. This will be a fun couple of months of baseball.
Cap & Crunch
Nice post all around –
Agree…DeGroms the best pitcher in baseball but Id still want Buehler on the mound game 7 WS
Shame Mia seems to have hit a “bad luck” year to date (happens) and being so small payroll they need lady luck on their side at most times . Id have liked their prospects to sneak the Division if they were a little closer to date. There’s something brewing down there in MIA I just have MAJOR concerns ownership opens up the wallet soon which would be a huge shame.
norcalblue
Agree. Best wishes to Jacob. Hoping for the very best possible health outcome for the kid.
RobM
The Mets are a mediocre team atop a mediocre division, which is also a good reminder about disregarding pre-season predictions. This was supposed to be the strongest division in the game. Now it has an argument as the weakest. The Mets are a .500 team against teams playing above .500 ball. They are one of the worst road teams. Basically, their key to the division lead so far is playing sub-.500 teams at home.
Cap & Crunch
Raising my hand for helping pump the volume on the NL east starting around 18~19 –
@DaOldDerbyBastard
Those games count too Rob.
RobM
Of course they do. Just noting what should be the obvious about the competitive level in that division right now.
Get Off My Mound
Damn Fever Pitch Guy must be takin a vacation today.
TradeAcuna
As a Braves fan, he will be missed!
Actually, I like Tom Brady of the MLB, but **** the Mets. So nevermind what I said above. He will not be missed.
RobM
When Jacob leads the Mets to seven World Championships and has 5 World Series MVPs, then he can have the “Tom Brady of MLB.” title. Brady won another championship last year playing on one leg. Right now, deGrom has zero, and he doesn’t even want to take the mound unless his arm is feeling 100% so he can empty the tank on a five and fly as he chases Gibson.
TradeAcuna
This is not the NFL or NBA where one player can carry a team. Degrom can go 9 innings and allow 0 runs in 30 starts and the Mets may not make the playoffs.
BeforeMcCourt
Meh. An ace can pitch 2 maybe 3 times in a 7 games series if on short rest. He throws 9 shutout innings 3x, your team is likely winning the series
What do you care about more? April- September or October?
ArianaGrandSlam
It’s just a matter of time before TJ knocks on his door. He’s too good to last.
Tommy John
Enough now, shut him down.
Robrock30
Surprise Surprise Surprise
Mets have been hiding the reality for over a month.
He’s no Tom Seaver or Nolan Ryan the 2 greatest Mets HOF pitchers that I grew up watching.
rct
Thanks for your input, Gramps.
Robrock30
Yes I am a Grandfather and it is the greatest feeling. I wish that you will be as blessed in the future.
beersy
Should we all be. blaming AJ Preller for this? He gets blamed for everything else.
Triple24
By this time in the season of 1968, Bob Gibson had 13 complete games and 6 shutouts with 171 innings pitched. Also no missed starts. DeGrom has 4 complete games and 2 shutouts his entire career. No comparison really.
Tdat1979
No way he gets to 162 innings pitched, so no way of breaking Bob Gibson’s record.