Mets in Distress After Yet Another Troubling Injury

One day after shortstop Francisco Lindor landed on the injured list with an oblique injury, the New York Mets have had to place ace pitcher Jacob deGrom on the IL for the fifth time this season.

NY #Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom shut down with 5th injury of the season, placed on 10-day Injured List with forearm tightness https://t.co/2PZpSs5IL2 via ⁦@USATODAY⁩
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 18, 2021

The injury is being called forearm tightness, and cropped up during a simple throwing session during the All-Star Break. deGrom underwent his 5th MRI of the season, and no structural damage was found, according to the Mets. Nevertheless, Mets manager Luis Rojas said the pitcher will be shut down until the tightness subsides.

deGrom continues to lead all of baseball with an ERA of 1.08, on pace for an historical season if he can stay healthy. But along the way, he has dealt with five different injuries, that have shut him down for varying short lengths of time.

The forearm tightness was preceded by shoulder soreness, flexor tendinitis, and tightness in his side and his lat. All of the injuries have occurred on the right side of the righthander's body.

Former major league GM Jim Duquette said on MLB Network Radio this morning that he suspects these injuries must be all related, and that deGrom might be in need of a longer rest than just a start or two.

The Mets' hold on 1st place is looking a bit tenuous after the news of both Lindor and deGrom, and follows a nightmarish collapse on Saturday, in which they blew a 6-0 lead to the Pirates, only to lose on a walk-off grand slam.