CINCINNATI — Jacob deGrom’s 100-mile heat on his return to action didn’t excite Mets officials, but the high speed was also understood.
“What are you going to do?” Manager Buck Showalter said Monday, a day after deGrom threw 24 pitches for single-A St. Lucie on the injured list with a stress reaction on his right shoulder blade in his first start in rehab since the start of the season.
DeGrom hit a top speed of 101 mph and hit triple digits on seven pitches. He knocked out five of the six batters he faced in 1 ²/₃ innings.
Showalter indicated that early in the rehab assignment there had been discussions with deGrom about “calling back” with his fastball. But it’s also possible that adrenaline has taken over.
“It’s not because he’s trying to max out his torque, he just has a rested arm and I’m sure he’s having a lot of positive emotions,” Showalter said.
‘What do you think he’ll do when he comes back here? I don’t think he’s going to call back there, so I guess he’s preparing for what he’s being asked up here.”
DeGrom felt good about Monday and is sticking to a five-day plan, according to Showalter. That marks the right-hander’s next start for St. Lucie at Daytona on Friday.
Showalter said he expected deGrom’s speed to drop as his rehab progressed.
“When he starts getting some of that good fatigue, I think you’re going to see some of that come off,” Showalter said. “But he’s got a rested arm with a lot of lust and I think you’ve seen the result of that.”
David Peterson will return from the paternity list to start Wednesday’s series finale as Chris Bassitt remains on COVID protocol, according to Showalter.
Showalter called Bassitt a “long shot” to face the Marlins on Thursday and indicated that Trevor Williams is scheduled for that start. Bassitt, who had been scratched since his start last Friday, has thrown to the side to stay loose.
Travis Jankowski was expected to play five innings in midfield and get three at-bats in a minor league rehab appearance for Triple-A Syracuse. The outfield player was put on the injured list retroactively to May 26 after fractured the fourth metacarpal on his left hand. Showalter didn’t rule out Jankowski returning before the All-Star break.
Edwin Diaz and his brother Alexis brought their respective lineup cards to home plate before the game. Alexis, a Reds reserve, made his major league debut this season but was transferred to the IL last month with right bicep tendonitis. Alexis Diaz has a 2.40 ERA in 27 appearances for the Reds with two saves.