Jacob deGrom’s first rehab start was as dominant as you’d imagine

New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom had his first rehab start in Class-A, and he was as good as you’d imagine.

The New York Mets were expected to start their season with ace Jacob deGrom leading their stacked starting rotation. deGrom has not yet played a game for the team, as he was sidelined due to a stress reaction in his right scapula. But, there was good news for Mets fans, as he had his first rehab start on Sunday, July 3.

How did deGrom do, you may be asking. Well, he pitched 1.2 innings for the Single-A St. Lucie Mets, where he threw 24 pitches and struck out five of six batters faced. Not only that, but he also managed to top 101 mph and throw seven pitches over 100 mph in his first rehab start!

Jacob deGrom dominant in first rehab start

Safe to say that the Jupiter Hammerheads had a rough start to the game. 16 pitches were called strikes, and 12 pitches were whiffed. The Mets went on to win the game 8-2.

After the game, deGrom expressed his belief that the rehab start went well, and said that he was looking forward to returning to the Mets.

Last season, deGrom recorded a 1.08 ERA, a 0.554 WHIP, 146 strikeouts, and 11 walks in 92.0 innings (15 starts).

Slowly but surely, the top of New York’s starting rotation is nearing a return. Max Scherzer, who the team signed to a lucrative contract this past offseason, recently had his second rehab start as he recovers from an oblique injury.

The sooner the Mets get deGrom back, the better for them, as their NL East lead has diminished following a strong month of June by the rival Atlanta Braves.