PORT ST. LUCIE — Jacob deGrom isn’t abandoning hope he can begin the season with the Mets.
A day after manager Mickey Callaway indicated it’s unclear if the right-hander will have enough time to build up physically for the first week of the season, deGrom — who battled recent stiffness in his lower back — threw a modified bullpen session Wednesday and later said he would still like to be considered for Opening Day.
Callaway is expected to pick between Noah Syndergaard and deGrom, provided the latter is ready, for the opener at Citi Field on March 29 against the Cardinals.
“I think if things keep going smooth, I don’t think there is reason I shouldn’t be able to get ramped up enough,” deGrom said. “Each of these guys made one start, so I think if everything goes as planned, I should be able to get ready.”
Even so, deGrom acknowledged it would be foolish to rush the process just for the sake of pitching Opening Day or the first week.
“I definitely want to be ready for that, but the thing is to be smart,” deGrom said. “If I wasn’t ready the first week or so, whatever you want to call it, and then healthy for the rest of the year that is what it has to be. I think it’s being smart about it.
“Today is a great sign for me that everything felt good, so I think everything was more precautionary, so you want to be safe and not do something dumb and end up missing two months in the season. Everything we did was to play it on the safe side and whether it’s a couple of days at the beginning of the season, it’s better than a couple of months during the season.”
The next step for deGrom would be throwing a full bullpen session in the coming days before he is potentially considered for his first exhibition start. Callaway indicated he would ideally like each starting pitcher to make at least five appearances in spring training to prepare for the season.
Zack Wheeler had a shaky appearance against the Braves in Lake Buena Vista, allowing one run on three hits in one inning, which consisted of 25 pitches. Wheeler was originally scheduled to pitch two innings piggybacking Matt Harvey, but the plan changed when Tyler Bashlor began warming up near the end of the second inning as Harvey’s pitch count increased. Not wanting Bashlor to sit down for an extended period following his warm-up, Callaway inserted the right-hander for the third inning. Wheeler pitched the fourth and was removed because of the elevated pitch count.
“I have to put guys away a little faster — 25 pitches isn’t going to get it done for an inning, but it’s still early in spring,” said Wheeler, who could be considered for a bullpen role.
Anthony Swarzak was expected to receive an MRI exam on his left calf after departing Tuesday’s game with tightness. The Mets had no update on the reliever Wednesday.
Brandon Nimmo hit a solo homer in the fourth inning of the Mets’ 6-4 exhibition victory over the Braves. The blast was Nimmo’s first this spring.
Tim Tebow went 0-for-2 for the second straight day coming off the bench in the DH spot. Tebow flied out and hit into a double play.
Gavin Cecchini is trying to get the Mets’ attention in a crowded infield. The rookie continued a strong first week by delivering a two-out RBI single.
Jason Vargas and Seth Lugo are among the scheduled pitchers for the Mets when they face the Marlins in Port St. Lucie.