As the New York Mets are making a late run for the top spot in the NL East, much attention has also shifted to their star pitcher in Jacob deGrom.
The Mets ace has not pitched for the team since his early July outing against the Milwaukee Brewers. He was later placed on the injured list due to a minor right forearm tightness injury.
On Tuesday, Mets team president Sandy Alderson provided one notable update on deGrom, where he noted that the two-time NL Cy Young Award winner had dealt with a sprain of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. In one headline-making surprise, Alderson further added that the pitcher's UCL sprain “resolved itself” and his elbow is now “perfectly intact.”
Even as the Mets are now in the stretch run of the season, they still may not get back their ace to help them push for a playoff spot in the National League.
MLB Network's Jon Heyman noted on Thursday that there is an “outside chance” deGrom will pitch again before the season comes to a close.
Later on Thursday, deGrom provided a notable update on his injury following a throwing session.
“I know what was said and my ligament is perfectly fine,” deGrom said. “I have been throwing and I wouldn’t be if I had a compromised ligament. That’s the plan to continue to throw and build up and see where we end up.”
The Mets have yet to provide for a final declaration on whether deGrom will pitch again this season.
Before he was sidelined with the minor UCL injury, deGrom was tabbed as the favorite to win the NL Cy Young Award this season. The Mets ace posted an impressive 1.08 ERA to go along with 146 strikeouts and an ERA+ of 370 over 92.0 innings pitched.
Whether deGrom returns to the mound before the season's end, the Mets still have plenty of work to do to catch the NL East-leading Braves. Even with seven wins in their last 10 games, they still sit at third place in the division with a 70-70 record.
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