Mets Ace Faces Crucial Medical Imaging

The New York Mets are off to a fine start, with a 7-3 record. And all that, without the services of the greatest pitcher in the game, Jacob deGrom. The injured Mets ace faces a crucial week in his recovery from the stress reaction in his throwing shoulder, as he'll undergo an MRI on Monday.

Jacob deGrom (stress reaction in right shoulder scapula) will undergo a follow-up MRI on Monday. That's three and a half weeks after his initial imaging test revealed the diagnosis.

If all goes well, deGrom could conceivably begin throwing after that.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) April 19, 2022

As Mets beat reporter Anthony DiComo reports, if the MRI comes back clean, deGrom could "conceivably" begin throwing, and the countdown to his return could begin.

deGrom is extremely familiar with the MRI machine, having had five of them for his various injuries last season, and yet another one 3 1/2 weeks ago when this problem in his scapula cropped up just before the end of spring training.

In 2021, deGrom was off to a historic start to the season, with a 1.08 ERA and a 0.55 WHIP, while striking out 146 in 92 innings for a 14.3 K/9, while only walking 11. But injury after injury related to his throwing arm cut short his season.

He looked to be healthy, strong and throwing well in the spring, until the stress reaction cropped up, shutting him down once again.

How good has deGrom been when healthy? According to just-retired former Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta, deGrom is the greatest pitcher in history.

Jake Arrieta didn’t even hesitate when we asked him about the best pitcher in the game. pic.twitter.com/rRthCMFzJF
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) April 18, 2022