Mets Rumors: Jacob deGrom Could Return from Shoulder Injury in Late June

Jacob deGrom hasn't pitched yet this season because of a shoulder injury, but he could make his debut before the All-Star break.

Someone with the Mets told me in June. Jon Heyman of the New York Post said on The Show that he was looking at July.

DeGrom is out six-to-eight weeks with an oblique strain, while Max Scherzer is out six-to-eight weeks with an oblique strain.

The All-Star break could set New York up for a long run. The team needs to tread water in the meantime, but it has plenty of cushion to do so.

The Mets are eight games ahead of thePhillies in the National League East.

Even if they play.500 baseball, they will still be in a good position to win the division and set their rotation up for a run in the playoffs. It's more important to keep the pair of right-handed pitchers healthy in October than it is to rush them back in June.

Recent health concerns are nothing new for deGrom, who made just 15 starts last year after starting at least 30 games in four of the previous five seasons. He made 12 starts in the shortened campaign.

He won the NL Cy Young in both of the last two years and has a sparkling career record of 2.50 with a 1.01 WHP.

The Mets could run away with the division if they have a good second half.