Mets RHP Jacob deGrom may miss opening series for son’s birth

Mets starter Jacob deGrom may miss the team’s opening series against the Royals because of his wife’s due date.

New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom may miss the team’s season opening series against the Kansas City Royals to attend the birth of his son, reports the New York Daily News’ Kristie Ackert.

“I have to be there when my son is born,” deGrom said.

The pitcher is contending with Matt Harvey for the distinction of being named Opening Day starter, though manager Terry Collins has not yet made a decision.

deGrom’s wife is due during the Mets’ opening series against the defending World Series champions, which begins on April 3. The team is already planning for deGrom’s absence, should his wife go into labor.

“I have absolutely no issue with it,” Collins said. “I think he should be there, absolutely he needs to be there. We can easily work around it. I had no issue when Daniel [Murphy] went on the paternity list. He needed to be there and we were just fine.”

Murphy, who signed with the Nationals in the off-season, missed the first two games of 2014 to be with his wife when she gave birth.

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deGrom, 27, went 14–8 with a 2.54 ERA in 2015 for the National League champions.