deGrom set to make '22 debut Tues. vs. Nats
This browser does not support the video element.
MIAMI -- Jacob deGrom is days away from his return to the Majors.
The two-time Cy Young Award winner will come off the injured list and make his season debut Tuesday in Washington, manager Buck Showalter confirmed on Sunday. It will mark deGrom's first Major League start since July 7, 2021.
deGrom, who has spent the entire season rehabbing from a stress reaction in his right scapula, will be working on an extra day of rest in his debut. Mets officials expect him to be on a strict pitch count in his first start back, but for that to expand to a normal workload by season's end.
In Washington, the Mets will also catch their first glimpse at the rotation they envisioned this past offseason. Max Scherzer is slated to pitch the series opener on Monday, followed by deGrom on Tuesday and Chris Bassitt on Wednesday.
This browser does not support the video element.
deGrom played catch before Friday's game vs. Miami at loanDepot park, and the Mets were waiting to make sure he came out of it without issue before revealing their rotation. In addition to his shoulder rehab, deGrom experienced leg cramps in his final rehab start this week at Triple-A Syracuse, but team officials consider that a non-issue.
The return of deGrom will be a banner event for the Mets, who have been without their ace for nearly 13 months. deGrom missed the entire second half of last season due to right elbow inflammation, then was diagnosed with the stress reaction in his right shoulder this spring. When healthy, deGrom has been one of baseball's most dominant pitchers, going 7-2 with a 1.08 ERA in 15 starts last season.