Jacob DeGrom, whose rehab assignment hit his first known velocity jump this week, threw 60 pitches in a simulated game at Port St. Lucie is said to be doing well.
DeGrom hasn't stepped on a big league mound in over a year. Arm and elbow injuries ended his 2021 campaign in early July.
In his first rehab start, deGrom threw 42 pitches in four innings. Manager Buck Showalter said they want him to pitch at least five innings before his 2022 debut. Maybe 60 pitches qualify.
The sim game was his fourth "start" in rehab and his first and only one away from the public during a break in the minor league schedule, and after a health scare delayed his start by two days.
The minor setback knocked him out of the discussion for the upcoming series at Citi Field against the Padres. It's possible he'll make his season debut against the Yankees on Tuesday or Wednesday, though the Mets will be extra cautious with his shoulder injury.
"Here's the good news, there's nothing structurally wrong with the rotator cuff when it comes to something like this." Billy Eppler GM
“But we're dealing with the bone problem, and when you're dealing with bone, calcification. Billy Eppler GM
After making his second rehab start, deGrom said he hopes to "be in the big leagues for a long time."