Jacob deGrom’s selection to the National League All-Star team Sunday wasn’t a surprise, but the fact the Mets were otherwise shut out might have rated as one.
Taijuan Walker, Marcus Stroman and Edwin Diaz were the other Mets players with solid All-Star cases. DeGrom, who is scheduled to pitch twice before the All-Star break — including in the final game — reiterated Sunday his plan to not pitch in the July 13 Midsummer Classic in Colorado.
“I have been a little beat up in this first half and obviously missed a few starts, which I wish I wouldn’t have missed, so I don’t think it makes much sense,” said deGrom, who leads the major leagues with a 0.95 ERA this season.
Last week the Mets ace told The Post the fact the game will be held at Coors Field contributed to his decision not to pitch. DeGrom said it was after pitching in Colorado earlier this season that he first began to feel banged up physically, perhaps caused by the altitude. The Mets gave him an extra day between starts following that game.
DeGrom isn’t even certain if he’ll travel to participate in pregame festivities in Denver.
“That’s kind of where all this started,” deGrom said, referring to a stretch in which he missed starts and had shortened appearances in others. “I had to go from five days’ [rest] to six days after going to Colorado, so it’s just going to be talking it over and seeing what we think is the smartest and safest thing to do.”
DeGrom is scheduled to start Tuesday against the Brewers and Sunday against the Pirates.
“We’re short on starters, so I want to be able to run out there every fifth day and hopefully after the All-Star break, be able to do that consistently and not miss any time,” deGrom said.
MLB will likely want a Mets representative in the game, and that leaves Walker, Stroman and Diaz as possibilities to replace deGrom or another player on the National League roster.
Walker is 7-3 with a 2.44 ERA in 15 starts for the Mets this season. Stroman is 6-6 with a 2.45 ERA in 16 starts. Diaz has pitched to a 2.84 ERA and converted 16 of 17 save opportunities this season.