How long is Jacob deGrom out? Injury timeline, return date, latest updates on Mets star pitcher

Tom Gatto

How long is Jacob deGrom out? Injury timeline, return date, latest updates on Mets star pitcher image

Jacob deGrom is dealing with another health issue. The Mets' ace was diagnosed with flexor tendinitis in his pitching arm Friday night after he was taken out of his start vs. the Padres early.

DeGrom missed three starts in May with lat inflammation and discomfort in his right side. Now he's looking at possible time off because of an arm issue.

MORE: When will Noah Syndergaard return to Mets after setback?

The 32-year-old deGrom has been special when has been able to take the ball. He lowered his ERA to 0.56 with six scoreless innings against San Diego. His 10 strikeouts gave him 103 in 64 innings. 

But he was removed after just 80 pitches, and TV cameras showed him talking with head team trainer Brian Chicklo. That got Mets fans' angst to spike.

What's next for deGrom? Here's everything we know about his injury and the latest news on when he may return to the mound.

What is Jacob deGrom's injury?

The Mets announced that deGrom has right flexor tendinitis. The flexor tendon extends from the forearm to the base of the fingers, and it controls the fingers' ability to bend and grip things. Tendinitis is inflammation or irritation of a tendon.

How long will Jacob deGrom be out?

DeGrom's timeline is unknown, but he told reporters after the game that he might not miss any action.

"I've had a couple elbow issues before, and I know what that feels like. So my level of concern is not too high," he said, per MLB.com's Anthony DiComo

"I'm pretty optimistic that I'll be out there in five days," deGrom said later, referring to his next scheduled start Wednesday vs. the Cubs.

DeGrom has been on the IL because of elbow issues twice in his MLB career, in 2018 and 2019. He was voted National League Cy Young award winner both seasons.

Still, it's likely that the Mets will again be cautious with their staff anchor. The team placed him on the injured list in mid-May because of discomfort in his right side. Friday's start was his fourth since being reactivated on May 25. He was scratched from a May 4 start because of lat muscle irritation.

New York has been working around injuries to its rotation all year. Noah Syndergaard (elbow) and Carlos Carrasco (hamstring) have been out the entire season, and Taijuan Walker (side) has spent time on the injured list.

Jacob deGrom stats for 2021 season

  • 64 innings pitched
  • 26 hits allowed
  • Seven runs allowed 
  • Four earned runs allowed
  • 103 strikeouts
  • Nine walks allowed
  • 0.56 ERA/0.55 WHIP

Tom Gatto

Tom Gatto Photo

Tom Gatto joined The Sporting News as a senior editor in 2000 after 12 years at The Herald-News in Passaic, N.J., where he served in a variety of roles including sports editor, and a brief spell at APBNews.com in New York, where he worked as a syndication editor. He is a 1986 graduate of the University of South Carolina.