WASHINGTON – Jacob deGrom’s training sessions since receiving permission to resume pitching last week have consisted of long pitches on the pitch.
According to Mets pitching coach Jeremy Hefner, the right-back has been playing catch from 75 feet. Ideally, the Mets would like him to shoot 125 or 130 feet before considering whether he should take the next step, to a mound of bulls.
Hefner was asked on Friday if, with a month to go before the season, it is realistic to believe that deGrom (who has not presented his game since July 7) can return in 2021.
“It’s one of those things where he couldn’t throw himself into a game, but he could too,” Hefner said before the Mets won 6-2 in extra innings at the Nationals on Friday night. “It just depends on how you react to the pitch. It’s no different than if we were in April. The timeline doesn’t change because we’re in September.
“Obviously we want him to throw, but we have to take the necessary steps to make sure he’s not only healthy this season, but also healthy for the rest of his career.”
DeGrom spent more than a month paused to throw due to the narrowing of his right forearm and the swelling of his elbow.
Noah Syndergaard’s training in isolating COVID-19 has consisted of throwing a ball into the mattress, according to Hefner. The right-hander tested positive for coronavirus last weekend and was struck out of his planned appearance for minor league rehabilitation.
Dominic Smith was put on the mourning list after the death of a close person (the Mets and manager Luis Rojas did not say who). Smith left the team before the game and Brad Hand took the place of the list.
“This is something that happened a couple of weeks ago, but this is the time when the family is doing their thing and [Smith] I was in the middle of going there, ”said Rojas. “But the family and he connected and decided to continue today.”
When the Mets began an eight-game road trip, which will also take them to Miami, Rojas was asked about the discrepancy in his record at home and on the road. The Mets are 41-27 at Citi Field, but are only 26-40 on the road after Friday’s win.
“We love the atmosphere at Citi Field, yes, it’s great, but we have to win these games on the road,” Rojas said. “I don’t mean that we play differently, I don’t mean that there is a way for boys to approach the game when we are on the road, different from what we do at home. It has simply been a negative outcome for us. “
Rojas noted that the Mets have gone more home than home (80-61).