Jacob deGrom may have to wait another day to test his sore shoulder.
The Mets rookie was hopeful he would get to throw on flat ground Friday, but following the Mets’ 4-1 loss to the Nationals on Thursday, indicated the organization is taking it slowly in his recovery from rotator cuff tendonitis.
“I feel good,” deGrom said. “I’m hoping for Saturday [to throw].”
DeGrom has not thrown since last Saturday, when discomfort in the shoulder prompted the team to send deGrom for tests. The right-hander was placed on the disabled list Monday.
Rafael Montero is expected to make at least two more starts in deGrom’s place, but the Mets are hopeful deGrom can return near the end of the month, when he would be eligible.
DeGrom is expected to be capped at around 180 innings this year, and the DL stint will likely put him in position to avoid a September shutdown. DeGrom has thrown 138 ²/₃ innings split between Triple-A and the majors.
The Mets re-signed outfielder Bobby Abreu and assigned him to Triple-A Las Vegas. The 40-year-old was designated for assignment by the Mets on Aug. 4.
David Wright’s power numbers continue to lag, but his hitting streak reached 13 games with a first-inning single against Stephen Strasburg. Wright is hitting .315 (17-for-54) since Aug. 2.
Manager Terry Colllins said he’s pleased with the approach Ruben Tejada has taken in the aftermath of losing the starting shortstop job to Wilmer Flores.
“[Tejada] works hard,” Collins said. “He does his extra hitting. He does his extra fielding. Inside I’m sure he’s furious, and he should be, because he was the shortstop here and now he’s got to watch. But he has not been an issue on the prep side.”
The home-plate collision rule continues to draw a shoulder shrug from Collins, among others. In Wednesday’s ninth inning, Matt den Dekker was called out despite video evidence that indicated Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos didn’t provide a lane for the runner.
“If [den Dekker] deviates to hit that catcher, he’s out automatically,” Collins said. “I think it happens so fast guys don’t know when they can. I went out there and said, ‘I want you to look at this. I have absolutely no idea if he’s out or safe — none. But I want you to look at it.’ There’s nothing else to say. I know it’s a work in progress.”