DeGrom’s Minors Start Pushed Back to Monday Due To Illness

As per Tim Healey of Newsday, New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom‘s expected minor-league start on Sunday will be pushed back to Monday due to illness.

On Saturday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reported that the Mets would begin to “shield” their top-level starters from Grapefruit League opposition they will face often throughout the season.

The Mets are playing the Washington Nationals on Sunday in West Palm Beach, hence deGrom’s scheduled “B” game start.

The reigning National League Cy Young Award winner has had a solid spring thus far, owning a 3.75 earned-run average, with 1.083 WHIP, 15 strikeouts, and just two walks over his first four spring appearances (12 innings pitched).

Mike Puma of the New York Post reports that deGrom will square off against Noah Syndergaard in Monday’s minor-league game.

Healey notes that deGrom is still in-line to make his Opening Day start in Washington on March 28 against the Nats’ ace, Max Scherzer.