Mets to skip de Grom’s next start
Bad news has been as much a part of the Mets’ rotation as wins, losses and MRI exam results this season. So when team brass proclaimed Friday the plan to skip Jacob deGrom in his next start was due to mechanics over health issues, initial reaction included the lighting of candles and cautious celebration.
“At this point, I don’t think we believe it is a medical issue,” said general manager Sandy Alderson, referencing information received from TrackMan and other computer-generated analysis.
“The last couple of starts his ball just has not moved the way it typically does,” Alderson said before the Mets’ 9-4 win over the Phillies on Friday. “We don’t think that’s related to injury. We think it’s maybe related to mechanics. … We’re very hopeful we’ll give him one [start] off and then he’ll pitch again.”
DeGrom was lit up in his prior two starts against the Giants and Cardinals as he surrendered 25 hits and 13 earned runs in 9 2/3 innings.
Both Alderson and manager Terry Collins pointed to resurgences by the right-hander when he received past significant in-season rest between starts. DeGrom noted he has battled mechanical issues all season.
“That’s hard to say until you do it. Of course I want to be out there but these past few, I haven’t helped the team very much. So if that’s in the best interests then that’s the plan we decided to go with,” said deGrom, whose regular turn would have been Monday. “I want to be out there but I think this is going to help me in the long run.”
Collins said his candidates to fill in for deGrom are Seth Lugo, Gabriel Ynoa, Logan Verrett, Sean Gilmartin and Rafael Montero.