Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
At the age of 31, Mets ace Jacob deGrom knows the clock is ticking on his so-far brilliant career and the suspended season, due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, isn’t helping.
“You’re only good for so long,” deGrom told MLB.com. “And I felt really good this spring, so that definitely crossed my mind. I guess now, I’ve just got try to stay good for a few more years.”
DeGrom is coming off back-to-back Cy Young awards, after notching a 2.05 ERA along with 524 strikeouts the past two seasons. But he also started late, beginning his MLB career just before his 26th birthday partially because of Tommy John surgery during his time in the minor leagues.
Right now, nobody knows if there will be a baseball season or how much of one can be salvaged. For the time being, deGrom isn’t doing much throwing off a mound. He’s riding a bicycle to stay in shape. But he is planning to start throwing bullpen sessions again this week. He has been long-tossing several times a week with his father, Tony, and has been in communication with manager Luis Rojas and pitching coach Jeremy Hefner.
“I feel like I could ramp it up pretty quick right now,” deGrom said.
There have been some positives for him during the postponement. He’s gotten to spend more time with family, though like most players, he would prefer to get back on the field as soon as possible.
“We miss the game as much as the biggest fans,” deGrom said. “That’s why we play this. We want to be out there competing in front of the fans. That’s what we do this for. I just hope that everybody stays safe, and hopefully things get back to normal and we’re back out there doing what we love, and competing in front of the best fans in baseball.”
