New York Mets' Jacob deGrom says injured shoulder feels 'completely normal'

Jacob deGrom is waiting for New York's medical staff to clear him to resume throwing after he injured his right shoulder.

DeGrom has been out since late in spring training with a stress reaction. The two-time National League Cy Young Award winner played catch Friday out to 135 feet, but he is not sure when he will throw his first bullpen or be ready for game action.

I feel normal, do we push it? Do we not? That will be the discussion over the next few days, and when we get on the mound, what is the safest way to go about this?

DeGrom believes the stress reaction occurred because spring training was delayed and shortened after the baseball players went on strike. DeGrom missed the second half of the 2021 season because of an elbow injury, which made it difficult for him to prepare quickly for 2022.

He said that he felt like that was what did it for him.

DeGrom said his shoulder was fine after a couple weeks of rest. He has had several scans, and his most recent one showed full healing in his shoulder blade. He doesn't think he will need another MRI, but he doesn't want the medical team to make that decision.

He doesn't have any fear about making the stress reaction worse.

The last report was good, and they said it was healed. So now, just making sure it handles the throwing and that nothing happens.

Without deGrom, the Mets have been fine. They lead the NL East with a 30 17 record despite the fact that Max Scherzer will be out for six to eight weeks with an oblique strain.

DeGrom's five-year, $137.5 million contract includes a club option for a further $32.5 million, but he can opt out after this season.

If New York remains on track for the playoffs, being healthy for September and October might be more important than a quick return.

He said that not being out there stinks. If you go too early, you are going to end, so that is where it is. It is trying to balance all that.

There are game notes.

Brandon Nimmo was held out of the Mets lineup on Saturday because of an injury to his wrist that came back clean. New York's leadoff hitter will not miss a lot of time, according to Buck Showalter. Yoan Lopez was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse.