CINCINNATI — Jacob deGrom returned to New York this week for further evaluation and rehab on his right forearm, and the early vibe is positive.
“DeGrom is improving,” manager Luis Rojas said Tuesday before the Mets lost 4-3 to the Reds.
Rojas added that the Mets ace has seen an increase in range of motion and swelling has decreased in the forearm. It’s possible deGrom will resume throwing this week, according to Rojas, but the manager didn’t provide a timetable.
DeGrom was placed on the injured list Sunday after returning from the All-Star break with tightness in the forearm.
Previously this season deGrom has skipped starts or had outings curtailed because of lat/side discomfort, flexor tendinitis and shoulder soreness. He last pitched on July 7.
Carlos Carrasco gave up five runs on three homers in 1 ²/₃ innings in a rehab start of two or three innings Tuesday for Triple-A Syracuse at Trenton. The right-hander will be evaluated afterward to potentially join the Mets’ rotation on Sunday against the Blue Jays.
The Mets’ plan would be to let Carrasco pitch three or four innings in his debut for the team and stretch out as the season progresses. Carrasco hasn’t pitched for the Mets, after tearing his right hamstring in spring training.
Jose Peraza was placed on the injured list with a fractured right middle finger, as the Mets lost a second infielder in less than a week. Last weekend, the team placed Francisco Lindor on the IL with a Grade 2 right oblique strain.
Peraza has been a key member of the Mets’ “Bench Mob” this season, producing clutch late-inning hits off the bench. The Mets used the roster spot to add a pitcher, recalling right-hander Geoff Hartlieb from Syracuse.
Bench coach Dave Jauss again served as manager, as Rojas finished out his two-game suspension for “excessive arguing” with the umpires on Sunday in Pittsburgh. Rojas watched Monday’s game from a suite at Great American Ball Park.
David Peterson is close to returning to a mound as he rehabs from an oblique strain, but after that happens will need to build up in the minor leagues and is still weeks away from potentially rejoining the rotation.
Jordan Yamamoto has begun throwing from a mound in Port St. Lucie and team officials are hopeful the right-hander can return later in the season. Yamamoto was placed on the IL in May with a shoulder injury.