While Mets fans may be concerned about ace Jacob deGrom confirming he plans to opt out of his contract at season's end, he is trying to put a separate issue to rest.
The flame-throwing right-hander told reporters on Monday that his right elbow feels "really good," and he has been advised that it looks "completely fine."
deGrom, who turns 34 in June, missed the entire second half last season due to elbow inflammation, prompting fears of an injury that might have required surgery.
But he said the rest is just what the doctor ordered, and he began throwing bullpen sessions recently, including one at Mets camp on Monday.
Per Danny Abriano of SNY:
"The way I feel now, I'm very confident with it," deGrom said. "I think after the inflammation and stuff, and [how] my arm got out last year, having the looks at it again and getting told the UCL looked completely fine, that was some reassurance.
"Felt really good this whole offseason and I think I threw five or six bullpens before I came down here, and all those felt really good. And today was another good step in the right direction."
It was reported that deGrom could have returned late last season, but apparently he and the Mets decided against it once it was clear the team wasn't going to reach the postseason.
This time around, the two-time Cy Young Award winner says he's prepared to make 30-plus starts for a team that has high hopes after a very busy offseason.
And he plans to head off any potential injury complications by trying to "stay on top of it" so as to avoid any "snowball effect."
While deGrom's plan to opt out isn't necessarily the first thing fans wanted to hear from the franchise legend, he also said he would be in "constant contact" with team brass in hopes of finishing his illustrious career with the only professional organization he's ever known.
