Jacob deGrom took part in baseball activities Thursday, in perhaps a first step toward returning from the injured list.
The Mets ace was captured playing catch by an MLB Network camera at Citi Field, four days after the team placed him on the IL with a right forearm strain. DeGrom had returned to New York for further evaluation and rehab while the Mets were in Cincinnati this week. Manager Luis Rojas said deGrom was “improving.”
Among the decisions the Mets face if deGrom is deemed ready to ramp up toward a start is whether he might need a minor league rehab appearance. DeGrom last pitched for the Mets on July 7, and four days later he felt tightness in the forearm during a side session. DeGrom returned from the All-Star break and aborted a side session when the tightness persisted. An MRI exam last weekend showed no structural damage, according to the Mets.
Carlos Carrasco’s next stop is still undecided, but the Mets have not ruled out the possibility he will pitch Sunday or Monday for them, according to an industry source. In his second rehab start, for Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday, the right-hander pitched 1 ��/₃ innings and allowed three homers. Team officials had hoped he would get to three innings. The Mets, short on starting pitching, would likely limit Carrasco to three innings regardless of where his next start occurs. The right-hander has been on the injured list since spring training after tearing his right hamstring.
The Mets plan to salute Steven Matz with a tribute video before Friday’s game. The Toronto left-hander will be pitching at Citi Field for the first time as an opponent, following the trade last winter that sent him to the Blue Jays for Sean Reid-Foley, Yennsy Diaz and Josh Winckowski.
Matz pitched for the Mets from 2015-20 and last year was the team’s nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award. Matz raises money through his Tru32 foundation for families of first responders and the U.S. military.