Jacob deGrom to miss 'significant' time with shoulder injury

New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom is dealing with yet another injury. Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Mets ace Jacob deGrom has stress reaction in scapula, will likely miss 'significant' time

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 4/1/22

Fans of the New York Mets will begin the 2022 regular season exactly how they ended the previous campaign: Worrying about the status of ace and two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom.

It was previously learned that deGrom would miss at least his latest spring training start due to what Anthony DiComo of the club's website described as "tightness in the back of his right (throwing) shoulder while playing catch." The 33-year-old underwent an MRI, and the results weren't all that promising regarding his status for at least the spring.

"Jacob deGrom underwent an MRI today that revealed a stress reaction on his scapula that has caused inflammation in the area," the Mets announced on Friday afternoon. "The immediate prescription is for Jake to discontinue throwing for up to four weeks and then reimage the area. At that time, we’ll update the plan of care."

ESPN's Jeff Passan added:

Mets right-hander Jacob deGrom will miss Opening Day after imaging showed a stress reaction in his right scapula, sources tell @JeffPassan.

While the timetable for deGrom's return is unclear, he's expected to miss a significant amount of time to start 2022. pic.twitter.com/wvpJgad7M7
— ESPN (@espn) April 1, 2022

When healthy last year, deGrom was arguably the top pitcher in all of baseball and went 7-2 with a 1.08 ERA, 0.55 WHIP and 146 strikeouts across 92 innings of work. However, he also dealt with at least six separate injury setbacks throughout the spring and summer months and still hasn't faced an opposing batter in a meaningful game since July 7 after he missed the entire second half of the season because of what's been called a low-grade tear in the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.

Last month, deGrom confirmed he intends to opt out of his current contract following the upcoming campaign, but such plans could change if he is essentially sidelined indefinitely.

The Mets came to terms on a deal with three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer this past fall before the lockout to ideally create arguably the top one-two punch among starting staffs in the league. Instead, the Amazins will be down an ace when they begin the season next Thursday at the Washington Nationals.

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