MLB

Mets ace DeGrom to 'refrain from throwing' due to lat inflammation

By Sports Desk May 04, 2021

New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom has been shut down for the "next few days" due to inflammation in his right lat.

DeGrom was scratched from his scheduled start against the St Louis Cardinals on Tuesday before the MLB showdown was postponed due to inclement weather.

After undergoing an MRI, DeGrom avoided the injured list but will "refrain from throwing" for a short period, the Mets said in a statement.

DeGrom – a two-time National League (NL) Cy Young Award winner – has been red-hot for the Mets this season.

Entering Tuesday's play, DeGrom boasted an MLB-best 0.51 ERA through his five games in MLB in 2021.

The three-time All-Star has allowed 16 hits, five runs and just two homers for the Mets, while he has struck out 59 batters.

DeGrom tied Nolan Ryan's record for most strikeouts through a pitcher's first five starts of a season.

The 32-year-old tallied nine strikeouts over six innings against the Boston Red Sox last month to improve his five-game total to 59, matching Ryan's feat in 1978.

DeGrom also ranks first for strikeouts per nine innings (15.17) among pitchers this season.

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