'Considerable healing,' but Jacob deGrom can't begin throwing yet
Jacob deGrom, warming up in March, is recovering from a stress reaction in his scapula. Credit: Getty Images/Eric Espada
ST. LOUIS — Jacob deGrom did not receive clearance to begin throwing, but the latest MRI and CT scan of his right shoulder showed “considerable healing” of the stress reaction in his scapula, a Mets spokesman said late Monday night.
He will get another round of images in about three weeks. In the meantime, the next phase of deGrom’s comeback will be to start strengthening the shoulder, the spokesman said.
The bottom line is the Mets don’t know yet when he will be back, but it won’t be soon.
DeGrom already has been shut down for three weeks since being diagnosed with the stress reaction on April 1. The Mets’ stance at the time was that he wouldn’t throw for at least four weeks. If he doesn’t pick up a ball before getting back in the MRI tube, it’ll be more than six weeks since the injury initially was discovered.
Then he almost certainly will require an extensive spring training-like buildup before getting on a major-league mound.
When deGrom returns, it will be at least 11 months after he most recently pitched in a game. His final appearance of 2021 came on July 7, after which he suffered a series of arm injuries. He had a 1.08 ERA in 15 starts.
Without its ace, the Mets’ rotation has been more than fine. It entered the week third in the majors in ERA (2.46), first in WHIP (0.89) and first in opponents’ batting average (.188).
That has included a standout performance from Tylor Megill, who has a 2.35 ERA after four starts as deGrom’s replacement, plus Max Scherzer being his usual ace self and Carlos Carrasco and Chris Bassitt serving as reliable, stable presences.
Tim Healey is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. Born on Long Island and raised in Connecticut, Tim has previously worked for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Boston Globe and MLB.com. He is also the author of “Hometown Hardball,” a book about minor league baseball in the northeast.
