Mets Injury Update: Jacob deGrom to return soon, could pitch in relief at first

The Mets may be getting one of their aces back very soon. According to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, Jacob deGrom’s return to the Mets is “imminent.” DiComo reports that the Mets plan to ease deGrom back in by pitching him in relief at least one time before returning him to the rotation, and that relief appearance could come as soon as this week.

deGrom has not pitched since his last start on September 1 due to soreness in his forearm. No structural damage was found in the 28-year-old’s elbow, but he had been shut down before beginning to throw again this past weekend. After playing catch on Friday, and throwing 10 pitches off a mound on Saturday, deGrom threw a 35-pitch bullpen session earlier today. He appears on the fast track back into game action.

The next time deGrom’s turn in the rotation would come is Monday. The Mets don’t feel like he will be stretched out by then, though, which is why they appear inclined to give him a relief appearance before then. But who will actually start that game for the Mets is still entirely up in the air at this time. Rafael Montero is officially out of the Mets’ rotation.

Needless to say, if deGrom is healthy, there is no understating his importance to the team during the last few weeks of this season.