Mets: Jacob deGrom to make next start on Sunday against the Phillies

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 02: Jacob deGrom #48 of the New York Mets walks off the field after the fourth inning against the Atlanta Braves on May 2, 2018 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 02: Jacob deGrom #48 of the New York Mets walks off the field after the fourth inning against the Atlanta Braves on May 2, 2018 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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New York Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom is expected to make his next start on Sunday against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Last Wednesday night, New York Mets fans hearts nearly stopped when ace Jacob deGrom left the game after four scoreless innings due to an injury sustained during his third inning at-bat.

After an awkward swing deGrom instantly felt pain in his right elbow and was pulled after the next inning. After multiple reports that deGrom was to make his next start on Monday, he was put on the 10-day disabled list with what was diagnosed as a hyperextended right elbow.

As much as it killed Mets fans to see deGrom go to the DL, it was important for him to miss at least one start after seeing what happened with Noah Syndergaard last season. The last thing the Mets need right now is for their ace to miss an extended period of time.

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Thankfully, it’s only one start and the lone game the Mets have won in the month of May.

After an MRI revealed no structural damage to the elbow deGrom will make his next start on Sunday when the Mets travel to Philadelphia.

deGrom has been lights out this season with a 3-0 record and an ERA of 1.87. He also has a scoreless inning streak that is currently at 18.3 innings with his last run dating back to April 16th which was a first-inning Bryce Harper home run.

After losing their first place lead the Mets need deGrom in this rotation and need him healthy if they want any chance at contending for the division or a wild card. He’s arguably the most valuable player on the team. If there is one player they cannot afford to lose, it’s him.

On Monday deGrom threw a two-inning simulated game in which he threw 43 pitches and coaches were impressed and saw that he is ready to go for Sunday. Mets manager Mickey Callaway told reporters that he didn’t want to push deGrom beyond his limits so soon but after Monday’s simulation Callaway stated: “everything went better than could be expected.”

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Sunday is a big game for deGrom and the rest of his team. Fans need to know where deGrom stands with the injury. It’s also important for the fact that the Mets are sitting in fourth place of the NL East and 1.5 games behind the Phillies. A big series could get the Mets back into first place.