A neck ailment will keep Jacob deGrom from taking the mound Friday. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Mets scratch ace Jacob deGrom with stiff neck

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Aug 14, 2020 4:13 PM ET

Jacob deGrom won't take the bump for the New York Mets versus division foes the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Friday.

The Mets and deGrom confirmed on Friday that he was scratched from the start due to a stiff neck that has bothered him since his performance against the Miami Marlins last Sunday.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post documented deGrom's comments to reporters:

DeGrom said had neck tightness after his last start. Thought it would be fine. Said it has lingered. Said couldn’t throw off the mound. Said checked out, nothing structurally wrong. #mets
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) August 14, 2020

The 32-year-old two-time reigning National League Cy Young Award winner added that he doesn't believe this issue is tied to the sore back he dealt with before Opening Day, and also that he will handle things day-to-day and won't immediately go on the injured list.

Actually in second answer deGrom said he did throw off the mound yesterday. But after consultation with Hefner was conerned about how much length he could give tonight with the neck stiffness. His goal is throw tomorrow, off mound Mon/Tues. Then make a start when feels up to it
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) August 14, 2020

DeGrom said feels better today than yesterday. Said this “popped up out of nowhere.”
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) August 14, 2020

"Just kind of lingering neck tightness"

- Jacob deGrom on why he was scratched from his start tonight pic.twitter.com/a50IJoyAw0
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 14, 2020

Thus far, deGrom has started four games and holds a 2-0 record with a 2.45 ERA and 0.95 WHIP.

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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