Former New York Mets Ace Talks Injury Recovery Timeline
The New York Mets lost Jacob deGrom in free agency last offseason, as the Texas Rangers signed him to a contract that would make him their ace for the next five seasons.
In fact, the Rangers were hoping that deGrom would be in a position to help them if they made the postseason in 2023, as they’re playing the Houston Astros in the American League Championship Series.
That was before deGrom had Tommy John surgery in June, the second of his career, putting him on the shelf for more than a year after signing the five-year, $185 million contract.
But deGrom is still with the Rangers, watching from the dugout and going through the rehab necessary to make a return.
deGrom spoke to the New York Post on Tuesday about his recovery, and as it turns out he might be a bit ahead of schedule.
Saying that his “arm feels pretty close to normal already,” deGrom is operating under some optimism that he could meet the fast end of the normal recovery time for this surgery, which is 14-18 months.
A 14-month recovery timetable would make him ready to throw from a mound in a game in August of 2024.
What has him so optimistic?
His doctors believe that the large gap between this surgery and his first Tommy John may help him meet the 14-month timeline. deGrom had his first surgery in 2010, back when he just started in pro baseball in the New York Mets system.
Another is that deGrom is checking off milestones on time. He has full range of motion in his right arm. He should start upper body work in a couple of months. Then comes throwing and playing catch. He said that he believes he’ll be throwing off a mound by Spring Training, which would be February or March.
