It is no secret that the New York Mets want to have Jacob deGrom back as soon as possible for their postseason push. They may not need to wait that much longer.
deGrom made his second rehab appearance for the St. Lucie Mets on Friday. He fired three shutout innings, allowing three hits while striking out six batters. He threw 36 pitches, 29 of which were strikes, as his fastball topped out at 101 MPH.
Jacob deGrom looks almost ready for New York Mets
At this point, deGrom looks as though he is just about ready. It is just a matter of building up his pitch count into the 70s and 80 before he returns to New York. As it is, the Mets are hoping to get at least a couple of starts from deGrom before the trade deadline.
The Mets would certainly hope to get deGrom back as quickly as possible. He has been one of the best pitchers of his generation, posting a 2.50 ERA and a 1.011 WHiP in his 1261.1 major league innings, striking out 1505 batters with just 295 walks. If they can get even 80% of that production this year, he would be a major boost to their rotation.
But the Mets also have to weigh his health for the remainder of the season. deGrom can make a major difference in their postseason quest, but he needs to be on the mound for that to happen. That is the goal of the rehab assignment, to ease deGrom back into his routine.
That may be the only thing to hold deGrom back. He will be able to make two more rehab outings by the time the All Star Break has come and gone and could be in that 70 to 80 pitch count range. It would be time to unleash him upon the majors at that point.
Jacob deGrom had an impressive showing in his rehab appearance on Friday. It may not be much longer until he is ready for the New York Mets.