PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- It is technically still possible that Jacob deGrom starts Opening Day, the Mets say. But with only 25 calendar flips to go, it appears unlikely deGrom will pass enough tests to make that a reality.
Throwing a 40-pitch bullpen session Sunday, deGrom came away feeling no ill effects from the back stiffness that sidelined him for several days last month. But he has yet to face live hitters, which he is scheduled to do for the first time Tuesday in a simulated game. Mets pitching coach Dave Eiland said deGrom will need to face hitters at least five times before he starts a regular-season game, making an Opening Day assignment impossible unless deGrom completes a limited workload in his sim game, then comes back on two days' rest for the first of four Grapefruit League starts.