Mets’ deGrom exits early with right side tightness

Two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom was pulled after five innings with right side tightness in his return from an injury to a similar area, but the bullpen closed out a four-hitter as the New York Mets beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-2 Sunday.

DeGrom (3-2) was perfect through four innings but labored in the fifth, then called for trainer Brian Chicklo after throwing two warm-up pitches ahead of the sixth. DeGrom exited and went straight to the clubhouse.

“No pain whatsoever, just tightness,” manager Luis Rojas said. “That’s what he told our trainer.”

DeGrom, who is slated to have an MRI, was coming off a 10-day layoff, skipping his previous turn in the rotation because of a right lat issue. Rojas said the side tightness — centered around the lower-right side of his back — seems to be a different issue.

Prior to Sunday, deGrom had a 0.51 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 35 overpowering innings.

The right-hander threw 68 pitches over five innings, allowing a run with six strikeouts, a hit and three walks.

DeGrom walked three during a 29-pitch fifth inning, just the second time in his career he’s done that.

BRAVES GO GREENE >> The Atlanta Braves agreed to a freeagent deal with right-hander Shane Greene.

Greene, who pitched for the Braves in each of the last two seasons, was signed for a $1.5 million prorated major league deal, The Athletic reported.

He was 1-0 with a 2.60 ERA in 28 relief appearances for the Braves last season. He is 23-28 lifetime with a 4.38 ERA over 313 appearances with the New York Yankees (2014), Detroit Tigers (2015-19) and Braves.

An All-Star in 2019, Greene allowed just one earned run in six playoff innings for the Braves last season.