OAKLAND, Calif. — Jacob deGrom will have Hollywood as a backdrop for his return to the Mets.
After throwing batting practice on Tuesday without any issues, the rookie right-hander was penciled in for a Saturday start against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.
DeGrom has been on the disabled list with rotator cuff tendinitis in his right shoulder that cost him his last two starts. He now expects to finish the season without the concern of an innings limit around 180. DeGrom has thrown 138 ²/₃ innings split between Triple-A Las Vegas and the Mets this season.
“I guess either way I was going to have to miss a couple of starts and this kind of came at a good time,” deGrom said before the Mets’ 6-2 loss to the Athletics on Tuesday night. “I got a little rest and now I feel good, so hopefully [I’ll] just finish strong.”
Rafael Montero, who replaced deGrom in the rotation, likely will be available to pitch Wednesday from the bullpen, according to manager Terry Collins.
In search of an answer after five straight games in which the Mets had totaled four hits or fewer, Collins shook up the lineup, inserting Juan Lagares (0-for-3) in the leadoff spot. Curtis Granderson (0-for-2) was dropped from leadoff to second.
“Whenever [Lagares] has led off against lefties, he’s got an eye, so we thought we would lead off with him [against Scott Kazmir],” Collins said. “If we want to run Juan, we just thought Grandy gives him a little protection there.”
Collins said Lagares’ shift to leadoff could become a long term possibility.
Daniel Murphy took a scheduled day off, giving Wilmer Flores (1-for-3) a start at second base, with Ruben Tejada (1-for-4) at shortstop for the second straight game.
Kirk Nieuwenhuis awoke with a stiff neck and was receiving treatment before the game.
It has not been determined when Bartolo Colon, who was placed on the bereavement list following his mother’s death, will rejoin the team, according to Collins.