PORT ST. LUCIE — As the Mets continue a pace to set the unofficial Grapefruit League record for MRI exams, there is already one potential consequence to the early aches and pains.
Jacob deGrom, who was sidelined in recent days by lower-back stiffness, might already be up against the clock if he is to start for the Mets in the first week of the regular season, according to manager Mickey Callaway.
DeGrom joined Yoenis Cespedes (sore right shoulder) in appearing on the injury report Tuesday, before reliever Anthony Swarzak was removed from the Mets’ 8-2 exhibition loss to the Astros with tightness in his left calf. Swarzak is expected to receive an MRI exam on Wednesday.
Dominic Smith is sidelined for an unspecified period with a strained right quadriceps and Juan Lagares (hamstring) has begun running at 90 percent and could soon play his first Grapefruit League game.
But it’s deGrom’s potential availability for the start of the season that might be the biggest question at the moment. The right-hander encountered the lower-back stiffness after returning Saturday from a three-day paternity leave, but said he was without discomfort following a throwing session Tuesday. DeGrom is expected to throw a bullpen session Wednesday, after which the Mets will decide the next step.
But Callaway indicated he would like each of his starting pitchers to appear at least five times in spring training (if not six) to build up their pitch counts before getting the ball in the regular season. And with Opening Day scheduled for March 29, that could scratch deGrom from the first week.
Asked if deGrom would be ready for the first week of the season, Callaway said: “Not totally clear on that yet. We’ll have to see how his throwing progression goes and kind of go from there.”
Cespedes, who homered in his Grapefruit League debut on Sunday, has been sidelined because of shoulder soreness he attributes to throwing a ball for the first time after avoiding such activity in the offseason. He indicated the soreness is a problem he’s encountered in past spring trainings and he hopes to resume playing on Friday.
“It’s not something that I should be concerned or worried about,” Cespedes said, adding that swinging the bat hasn’t been an issue.
Swarzak broke to cover first base on a grounder in Tuesday’s third inning and felt a “grab” in his left calf. He immediately exited the game, and said he was encouraged by the fact he could walk off the field without needing assistance.
“I am walking, I am standing here right now, so I think I will be OK,” Swarzak said.
Smith declined to guesstimate on when he might return to action, after an MRI confirmed his strained quadriceps. The first baseman, who sustained the injury running the bases Saturday, indicated he is not concerned about how the setback might affect his chances of making the team.
“I don’t even pay attention to that,” said Smith, who is potentially competing with veteran Adrian Gonzalez. “At the end of the day we’ve got a 22-year-old competing for a job and a potential Hall of Famer. Whichever way it goes, I am sure Mets fans or the team will be happy with whichever situation occurs.”
On the plus side, Jay Bruce made his Grapefruit League debut for the Mets on Tuesday and went 1-for-2 as the designated hitter after missing the first four games to rest his left foot. Bruce is battling plantar fasciitis and indicated he may have to manage the condition during the season.