Mets letting Jacob deGrom drive pace of return to the mound, says GM
NEW YORK — A vital part of the Mets' schedule is on the horizon as the team's hold on first place in the division has loosened. Even as the Mets work through offensive outages, the team's pitching staff continues to shine through the struggles. The trading deadline is rapidly approaching, but the team is also looking to improve with the return of major pieces like ace Jacob deGrom.
Mets fans, along with the organization, have patiently awaited the return of deGrom to a Citi Field mound since a stress reaction to his right scapula that dates back to April. Multiple rehab starts built towards a return for the multi-time Cy Young winner, but the Mets pushed back his simulated game earlier this week "out of an abundance of caution", according to reports.
Mets GM Billy Eppler spoke on to Jim Bowden and Jim Duquette on SiriusXM's MLB Network Radio on Sunday about deGrom's situation, confirming that the team will look for one more rehab start before a return to the Mets.
"We're really just trying to drive this through his feedback, as well as some of the things we can glean from a clinical exam or some of the objective things we can measure," said Eppler. "We're really taking his subjective feedback and kind of letting that drive the pace of this."
Jacob deGrom:Mets ace needs one more rehab start before returning
Eppler also spoke about how the examinations that the team have had done on deGrom make them encouraged that deGrom's return should not result in other starts and stops once deGrom returns fully. Eppler noted that the injury to deGrom is a bone injury, as opposed to a muscle or a ligament, which could provide nagging discomfort down the line and potential for added injury.
"The risk of reinjury is very small because of the calcification in the healing process," said Eppler.
Manager Buck Showalter was also asked about deGrom, who threw a side session on Sunday. Showalter said he spoke to deGrom following that session, but didn't get to view it live.
"We'll see how he feels tomorrow and make a decision on where he goes and when," said Showalter. "The plan is for him to make a start during the coming week. I know what the plan is but, if something happens that makes us deviate from that plan, we will."
Showalter says that the team's focus with his likely final rehab start will mostly be on stretching him out over anything else.
Max Scherzer starting Subway Series?
The Mets have not yet named a starting pitcher for Wednesday night, the second of two games against the Yankees at home this season. With off days positioned on either side of that short series with the other team from New York, Showalter anticipates Max Scherzer to make his debut in the Subway Series rivalry.
"Right now, it's Scherzer," said Showalter. "That's just where his normal day falls, but we're not ready to determine that or announce it yet."
Showalter noted the recent All-Star break, as well as the multiple off days next week as an issue with trying to form a rhythm in the second half. The reluctance of naming Scherzer the starter for Wednesday has less to do with Scherzer and more to do with the rest of the rotation and assessing where other pitchers currently are. That order also would appear to be shaken up if deGrom returns to the rotation after his final rehab start next week.
"I've already talked about the schedule and already gotten in trouble," said Showalter. "To have two off days that close together after having four off days, it's just not good use of them. And I'm sure there's a great reason for it, I'm sure there is, but it really disrupts a lot of things."
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This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Mets GM Billy Eppler on Jacob deGrom's return
