Mets' Jacob deGrom expects to pitch again before end of season

The New York Mets have dropped to 73-77 on the season and began Tuesday afternoon six games back of the first-place Atlanta Braves in the National League East standings. New York's playoff hopes have just about completely faded away, but ace Jacob deGrom isn't letting that reality prevent him from working toward a return to the rotation from the sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow that has since healed on its own. 

It was reported last week deGrom was on track to make at least one start before New York ends the campaign on Oct. 3, and he told reporters on Tuesday he expects to be back before that date. 

"I feel good," deGrom said after he tossed 20 pitches off the mound at Fenway Park, per SNY. He has another throwing session off a mound scheduled for later in the week. 

"I know what was said, but my ligament is perfectly fine," he added. "I’ve been throwing. I wouldn’t be throwing if I had a compromised ligament. So that’s the plan to continue to throw and build up." 

The two-time NL Cy Young Award winner hasn't pitched since July 7 and has experienced at least six different injury issues throughout the season. He is 7-2 with a 1.08 ERA and 0.55 WHIP in 15 starts this year.