Jacob deGrom will make his regularly scheduled start for the New York Mets on Monday against the Cincinnati Reds, manager Mickey Callaway announced Saturday, meaning the right-hander won't miss any time because of the hyperextended right elbow he suffered Wednesday.
What deGrom won't be doing Monday, however, is swinging the bat.
The 29-year-old sustained the hyperextended elbow on a swing during one of his at-bats on Wednesday, and that means going forward, Callaway won't allow deGrom to do anything at the plate aside from bunt and take.
That's just fine with the skipper, though, who clarified Saturday that he's not a fan of pitchers hitting - and risking serious injury - in the DH-less National League.
"If it were up to me they (pitchers) would never swing in BP or in the game," Callaway said, according to John Healy of the New York Daily News. "We don't need their spot in the lineup to score runs. ... At this point I think he's better off to go up there and just bunt and get guys over."
As for deGrom the pitcher, everything appears to be going to plan. The MRI on his elbow came back clean Thursday, and Callaway said there were "no issues whatsoever" during deGrom's bullpen session Saturday, paving the way for him to make Monday's start.
DeGrom has made seven starts for the Mets this season, and owns a 1.87 ERA with 54 strikeouts (11.2 per nine innings) and a 0.99 WHIP.
