Inside The Mets

New York Mets' Jacob deGrom Dominates in First Rehab Start

Jacob deGrom didn't miss a beat in his first live game action since injuring his shoulder in spring training.

Pat Ragazzo

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It was a bad day to be a Jupiter Hammerhead. 

Mets ace Jacob deGrom made his first rehab start on Sunday night for the Single A Port St. Lucie Mets and dominated. 

While deGrom's outing was shortened, given this was his first live game action since injuring his shoulder during spring training, the righty struck out five of the six Jupiter Hammerheads he faced across 1 2/3 innings on 24 pitches (goal was 25 pitches maximum). DeGrom hit a batter with a slider in the first inning, which was the only base-runner he allowed.

The 34-year-old's fastball velocity averaged 99 mph, and topped out at 101 mph. His slider averaged 93-94 mph. 

Following his outing, deGrom said everything felt really good and that his right shoulder is 100% healed. He has also been working on fixing some mechanical issues that he went back and noticed prior to suffering a stress reaction on his right scapula in spring training. 

“We’ve been working on some mechanical things that I noticed were off in spring, and everything was in line tonight,” deGrom said. 

“Good step. Looking forward to getting back out there and helping the team win,” he added. 

DeGrom is expected to make two to three more rehab starts, before rejoining the Mets rotation. This could put him on track to return after the All-Star break in the mid to late-July range. 

The two-time Cy Young winner has not pitched in a regular season game for the Mets since July 7, 2021. But if all goes well, that streak will be snapped later this month. 

The Mets’ blueprint of having deGrom and Max Scherzer at the top of their rotation finally looks to be inching towards reality. 

Read More:

- Mets Top Prospect Francisco Alvarez One Step Away From Major Leagues

- Max Scherzer to Return From IL, Will Pitch for Mets in Cincinnati

- Mets Interested in ‘Best Fit’ Trade Deadline Target

Follow Pat Ragazzo on Twitter (@ragazzoreport), be sure to bookmark Inside The Mets and check back daily for news, analysis and more.

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Pat Ragazzo
PAT RAGAZZO

Pat Ragazzo is the reporter, publisher, site manager and executive editor for Sports Illustrated's Mets and Yankees On SI websites. Pat was selected as The Top Reporter & Publisher of the Year 2024 by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP) for outstanding leadership, dedication, and commitment to the industry. He has been seen on several major TV Network stations including: NBC4, CBS2, FOX5, PIX11 and NY1; and is frequently heard on ESPN New York FM 880 AM and WFAN Sports Radio 101.9 FM as a guest. Pat also serves as the Mets insider for the "Allow Me 2 Be Frank" podcast hosted by Frank "The Tank" Fleming of Barstool Sports. You can follow him on Twitter/X: @ragazzoreport.

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