DeGrom sharp in spring debut, uncertain about opening day
PORT ST. LUCIE, FLA. » The question whether or not Jacob deGrom will be the New York Mets’ starting pitcher on opening day wasn’t resolved on Sunday. But if he isn’t, it likely won’t be because of his stuff.
Making his spring debut after being sidelined with back stiffness and leaving camp for his daughter’s birth, deGrom overpowered the Houston Astros at times in his two-plus innings of work. He struck out the side in the top of the first, and hit 98 mph during his 47-pitch outing.
Overall, he allowed two runs on two hits and one walk in 2 2/3 innings, fanning four in a 5-2 loss.
DeGrom worked two innings Tuesday in a simulated game. The righthander said facing opposing hitters other than his teammates or prospects resulted in a rush that had him ramping up his fastball.
“You go face your own hitters and live BP and sim games, whatever, you want to get them out. But when you go face another team and you’re actually in a game game, then it’s definitely different,” deGrom said.
DeGrom fanned Jake Marisnick and Tony Kemp looking before finishing Alex Bregman with a swing-and-miss fastball. Many fans stood as deGrom walked to the dugout.
“I had some nerves, some adrenaline,” he said, smiling.
Mets manager Mickey Callaway was impressed with the start.
“He looked fine. He came out of it healthy. We know who Jacob deGrom is,” Callaway said.
“You saw the stuff, the velo. He wasn’t holding anything back. He was letting it go, and it was good to see. And he pitched a good amount of pitches for his first time out in a real game,” he said.
Castro over trade shock, feels good about being on Marlins
JUPITER, FLA. » Miami second baseman Starlin Castro says he’s over the initial shock and disappointment he felt upon learning in December that he’d been traded from the contending New York Yankees to the rebuilding Marlins.
“It’s kind of tough because I’d been there two years,” Castro said. “We had a good team over there. We made the playoffs last year. When they made the trade, I felt a little upset.”
At a price tag of $10.86 million for 2018, he is the second-highest paid Marlins player and still could be traded at any point to further cut costs. Whether that happens or not, he’s set to play for Miami.
“I feel good now,” said Castro, a couple of hours before his new team faced his old squad for the first time this spring.
The 27-year old is keeping his Yankees ties alive.
Some Yankees elected to make the drive across the state from Tampa on Saturday night. Castro took Gary Sanchez, Miguel Andujar, Gleyber Torres and Estevan Florial to dinner.
“I feel really happy to see those guys and play against them,” Castro said. “It’s going to be fun.”
A .282 hitter over eight seasons whose next home run with be No. 100 in his career, Castro batted third against New York in a 7-5 win Sunday.
Reds’ Anthony DeSclafani has another strained oblique
GOODYEAR, ARIZ. » Anthony DeSclafani has a strained left oblique, the third year in a row that the Cincinnati Reds starter has been hurt during spring training.
Manager Bryan Price said DeScalfani felt discomfort during his last spring appearance and an exam found the problem. It’s unclear how long the right-hander might be sidelined. The Reds open the season in a little over two weeks.
DeSclafani also suffered a strained left oblique before the 2016 season and was sidelined until June. He missed all of last season with a sprained elbow.
Left-hander Brandon Finnegan faced only two batters in his appearance on Sunday because of a sore forearm.