Jacob deGrom was hit with a setback in his return from forearm tightness, and is now expected to be out for at least another month.
According to a report from MLB.com's Anthony DiComo, deGrom felt additional inflammation in his right arm during a bullpen session on Thursday, forcing the Mets to shut down their ace once again for another two weeks.
DeGrom is expected to go through another ramp-up process once he returns, according to DiComo, but the latter noted it could require two weeks or more, which would make a September return the soonest he might come back from the injury.
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The Mets ace has been experiencing tightness in his right forearm since July, the latest injury he has faced this season. Manager Luis Rojas told reporters on July 17 that deGrom was scratched from his scheduled start Monday in Cincinnati against the Reds after he felt the tightness during a bullpen session Friday.
On July 18, it was reported by Newsday's Tim Healey that deGrom would be placed on the 10-day injured list, noting that he will not throw until his forearm tightness has gone away.
Breaking: The Mets are putting Jacob deGrom on the IL.
— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) July 18, 2021
His right forearm is still tight. He won’t throw until that goes away.
Rojas had also told reporters that deGrom underwent an MRI on Friday night, which revealed no structural damage. Rojas had said deGrom would be day-to-day before the team placed him on the IL. His last mound appearance was July 7 vs. the Brewers.
The All-Star right-hander has been sidelined multiple times this season because of injury:
- Lat irritation cost him a turn in early May.
- Right side discomfort forced him to the injured list in mid-May. He missed two turns.
- Flexor tendinitis in his pitching elbow cut short his start June 11 against the Padres to six innings.
- Shoulder soreness forced him out of his start June 16 vs. the Cubs after three innings.
DeGrom, 33, was named to the National League All-Star team this season but did not attend the game in Denver. He told reporters he wanted to spend the time with his family and "get healthy for the second half."
He has been historically good when he has been able to take the mound in 2021. He entered the All-Star break with an MLB-best 1.08 ERA (1.24 FIP) and 13.27 strikeouts per nine innings.
