Health scare for Met ace’s baby
Newborn’s ‘complications’ keep ace away
CLEVELAND — The Mets placed Jacob deGrom on MLB’s family medical emergency list Saturday, allowing the right-hander to remain with his wife and newborn son, who is being treated for a serious medical issue.
While the team would not go into details, Terry Collins said there were “complications” after the birth of the baby Monday night and deGrom needed to remain in Florida “for a couple days” with the baby and his wife, Stacey.
It has been a scary time for the new parents, Collins said.
“I have spoken to him every day, he’s where you would expect him to be,” the manager said before Saturday afternoon’s game against the Indians at Progressive Field. “He’s not sleeping much.
“We’re certainly rooting for him and Stacey and the baby to hang in there,” the Mets manager added quietly.
The Mets officially placed deGrom on the MLB Bereavement/Family Medical Emergency list, which initially created concern and confusion. Collins said he was “not qualified” to say if this was a life-threatening situation.
“It’s a real-life situation and certainly we take the game of baseball very seriously, but this changes a lot of things,” Collins said. “You guys have been around Jake; he’s such a good guy. Stacey is outstanding.
“So, we just sit here the last few days, those guys in there can all tell you they do as best they can to stay in touch with him, but we’re all praying and pulling for him,” Collins said. “It’s unfortunately... it’s part of life.”
DeGrom had flown to Florida to be with his wife Monday night when she went into labor. She delivered Jaxon Anthony that night. DeGrom, who was also dealing with a tight lat muscle on his right side, has remained with his family.
The lat issue, which deGrom suffered in his only start of the season, was apparently overblown. The complications with the baby, who has been hospitalized since Monday night’s birth, have been the real reason deGrom did not rejoin the team Friday.
Collins admitted Saturday that the lat issue gave the Mets the chance to give deGrom and his family some privacy as they deal with this medical issue. When the family issues are settled, Collins said deGrom should be ready to pitch.
“The lat is fine,” Collins said when asked if the tight muscle was truly the reason for deGrom’s abbreviated, 25-pitch bullpen session in Port St. Lucie on Friday. “The lat is fine, he’s just building up.”
“Jake is going to throw a pen session again tomorrow, and on Tuesday he’ll probably throw another one,” Collins said. “Actually I think, hopefully, if things continue, that Tuesday he might face some hitters down there.”
The Mets finally made the move to put deGrom on the family emergency list Saturday so they could add a player in his roster spot. Utility infielder Eric Campbell was recalled from Triple-A and joined the team Saturday afternoon. By putting deGrom on the list, the Mets will have a full 25-man roster while the pitcher has three to seven days to stay with his family.
As Collins said Friday night, Logan Verrett will make the start Tuesday in deGrom’s spot.
Saturday’s news certainly put deGrom’s spring and early season into perspective.
He dealt with nagging injuries through spring training, including a tight groin and tight lower back that set him back. There was growing concern about his health as the velocity on his pitches was below normal.
DeGrom’s fastball was markedly slower this spring as well as in his only start of the season. The 27-year-old had an average four-seam fastball speed of almost 96 miles per hour last year, according to Brooks Baseball. In his first start of the season, deGrom’s fastball averaged just over 92 miles per hour. His slider, which he threw at an average of just under 90 miles per hour last season, was averaging just under 87 miles per hour this year.
Those are worries for another time though.
“This is real life,” Collins said.
And baseball can wait.