Mets ace Jacob deGrom blames MRI for aggravated forearm injury?

New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom dealt with no fewer than six separate injury setbacks throughout the 2021 MLB season that prevented him from pitching after July 7. Those absences derailed a potential Most Valuable Player campaign. 

One of the ailments plaguing the 33-year-old was a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his right (throwing) elbow. 

The two-time National League Cy Young Award winner recently spoke with Anthony DiComo of the MLB website about what became a disappointing season and about his ailing forearm. 

Per deGrom, he underwent an MRI on the forearm in July following the All-Star break that involved him laying on his stomach with his elbow raised for approximately one hour. 

"I honestly think that’s what aggravated it," deGrom explained to DiComo.

The Mets ultimately fell out of the playoff race and understandably shut deGrom down on Sept. 28, less than one full week before the regular-season finale. He ended the year at 7-2 with a 1.08 ERA and 0.55 WHIP in 15 starts. 

"I have to take a lot of responsibility for [the Mets] falling short," deGrom added during his comments. "I’m not running out there every fifth day, and I feel like I can help the team win. So going down and not being able to go out there and pitch, it’s definitely a letdown for me. But it’s also a letdown for the team. So I do take a lot of responsibility for that."