New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom will make his Opening Day start. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Mets' Jacob deGrom cleared for Opening Day start

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Jul 21, 2020 2:46 PM ET

New York Mets ace and two-time reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom wants the ball for his team's July 24 Opening Day clash with division rivals the Atlanta Braves.

Mets manager Luis Rojas is reportedly granting that request.

On Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reported that deGrom's Tuesday throwing session went well and that the 32-year-old is expected to take the bump this Friday afternoon:

Jacob deGrom threw a side session today, as scheduled, and all went well. If there was any remaining doubt as to his Opening Day readiness, it's gone.

He'll be on the mound Friday at 4:10 p.m. ET against the Braves.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) July 21, 2020

Jacob deGrom on back issue: "I would say it's totally in the past...Everything is in line."
— Steve Gelbs (@SteveGelbs) July 21, 2020

DeGrom exited last Tuesday's intrasquad game after one inning of work due to a sore back. An MRI showed nothing concerning, though, and deGrom later told reporters that he "merely woke up a little stiff." The Mets pulled the right-hander from the weekend's pair of exhibition games versus the New York Yankees as a precaution.

It's not known if deGrom will face any pitch-count restrictions versus Atlanta.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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