Jacob deGrom’s simulated game was pushed back from Tuesday to Thursday because of soreness in his right shoulder, something that could be normal but could also be a red flag given his recent injury history.
Former Mets closer John Franco joined Tiki & Tierney at their remote broadcast at Sleepy Hollow Country Club on Thursday, and when asked about deGrom, well, he was optimistic.
“He’s struggled the last couple years with injuries, hopefully this is just a little soreness, nothing serious,” Franco said. “Maybe they’re trying to line him up for the Yankees series! But if he comes back and is healthy down the stretch, they’re going to be a force to be reckoned with.”
BT isn’t so optimistic, wondering if deGrom’s soreness is “a little more than normal” and noting that it has now been 54 weeks since deGrom threw a meaningful pitch – but to Franco, slow and steady is going to win this race.
“I don’t think there’s any urgency to get him back, they want him to be fully healthy when he does come back,” Franco said. “I think when you get into those minor-league games, your adrenaline gets going and it could just be normal soreness. I’m hoping it is, because they’re going to need him down the stretch.”
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But what if they don’t get him back – can the Mets’ rotation hold up and get them to the World Series?
“I think so,” Franco said. “(Chris) Bassitt’s a pretty damn good pitcher, and Taijuan Walker’s having a great year, so hopefully he took something from last year when he struggled in the second half. I think they can make a pretty good run.”
Regardless of when this season ends, though, there’s still a choice looming over deGrom: what do they do if he opts out?
“That’s why I’m glad I’m not the GM,” Franco laughed. “They’ll have to make some tough financial decisions, but thankfully you have an owner who isn’t afraid to make those decisions and a general manager that will help out, so they’ll cross those bridges when they have to. And, there are a lot of good players who will be free agents; deGrom is a Cy Young winner and if he’s healthy you do everything you can to sign him back, but if he’s not, you have some question marks. And it’s up to Jake too, where he might want to go.”
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