Mets’ deGrom clears hurdle
Ace hits 97 mph in his first outing since elbow surgery.
M o m e n t s a f t e r J a c o b deGrom blew a first-inning fastball by Josh Reddick for a strikeout, he circled the mound and caught a glimpse of the radar reading on the scoreboard: 97 mph.
“Definitely a good feeling,” deGrom said.
Making his first start since September’s surgery to reposition the ulnar nerve in his right elbow, deGrom worked two perfect innings for the Mets on Saturday, striking out two in a 3-1 win over Houston in West Palm Beach, Fla.
More importantly, everything flowed smoothly.
“It’s a step in the right direc tion,” he said. “You say you are feeling good in the spring, but then to actually get out there in the game to throw, it definitely feels good to get back out there on the mound.”
Seeing that 97 flash on the video board prompted manager Terry Collins to tell pitching coach Dan Warthen they were watching a special spring outing.
“I really think it’s important that he go out there and know that his arm is back,” Collins said. “We don’t put a gun on them in the bullpens. I think when they go back out there they see their velocity’s back. I think it’s a tremendous confidence builder for them.”
Red Sox: Ace David Price says it’s still too early to tell when his ailing left elbow and forearm will heal enough for him to pitch in a game.
Price was told this week that he won’t need surgery or an injection. The team said he will be shut down for seven to 10 days, take anti-inflammatory medicine and be re-evaluated after that.
“I’m not going to put a timetable on it,” Price said Saturday. “If it doesn’t get b e t t e r i n a c e r t a i n t i me period, it’s something we’re going to have to talk about again. I don’t think it will get to that point.”
Orioles: Left-hander Wade Miley left Friday’s Grapefruit League start in Bradenton, Fla., after being hit by a line drive back up the middle. Miley said the ball grazed his lower left arm before hitting him square on the left rib cage.
“But it’s all good,” Miley said. “It just banged me a little bit. All good.”
Athletics: Seven weeks after agreeing to a contract with Santiago Casilla, the A’s will get their first look at the veteran short reliever today.
Manager Bob Melvin said he got word that Casilla’s visa problems in the Dominican Republic have been cleared up. On Jan. 19 the A’s and Casilla agreed to a two-year, $11 million contract, and he figures to battle it out with Ryan Madson to be the club’s primary closer.