Jacob deGrom Injury: Updates on Mets Star's Lat and Return

The New York Mets removed starting pitcher Jacob deGrom from April 8's game against the Philadelphia Phillies due to lat tightness, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.

Then, deGrom was placed on the family emergency list due to complications with his newborn son. His child has since been discharged from the hospital, and deGrom is ready to return.

Continue for updates.

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DeGrom Starting vs. Braves

Sunday, April 24

The Mets announced that deGrom will start against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday and bat ninth in the lineup.

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DeGrom Throws Simulated Game

Tuesday, April 19

Adam Rubin of ESPN.com reported deGrom threw 71 pitches in a simulated game in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

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DeGrom Becoming One of NL's Strongest Pitchers

DeGrom followed up his National League Rookie of the Year campaign from 2014 with another solid year as a part of a fearsome Mets pitching rotation in 2015. 

The 27-year-old went 14-8 as the Mets' No. 2 starter behind Matt Harvey and posted a 2.54 ERA with 205 strikeouts on his way to his first All-Star Game appearance. 

At the Midsummer Classic in Cincinnati, he stole the show:

He's just one of five possible starters who can throw over 95 miles per hour in the Mets rotation alongside Harvey, Noah Syndergaard, Steven Matz and Zack Wheeler, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery. 

That pitching staff—minus Wheeler—was the foundation of a Mets team that came out of nowhere in 2015 to win the National League pennant before falling to the Kansas City Royals in the World Series. 

Friday's start was deGrom's 2016 debut. He tallied six strikeouts in six innings while surrendering one run and five hits.

With deGrom out, Syndergaard will take over the No. 2 role in the Mets' deep rotation, while Rafael Montero, one of the Mets' top pitching prospects, could make some spot starts.

In a reloaded National League East that expects to have the Mets battling the Washington Nationals for supremacy, a healthy pitching staff is needed if New York wants to make another trip to the postseason.

Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.