New York Mets right hander Jacob deGrom declined to participate in the 2016 MLB All-Star game, claims his manager Terry Collins.
Terry Collins made many comments over the past few days as the National League’s all star manager. He’s been asked about deserving starters and pitching matchups, but has also fielded many questions about his own club. One of which, was in reference to Jacob deGrom.
Collins claimed he spoke with the New York Mets hurler about joining the team for the second year in a row only to be warned by his pitcher that “he’s beat.”
After pitching a career high 216 innings in 2015, a little extra rest for the reliable starter makes sense. It seems that rest is good for the rest of the rotation, which has endured several injuries and the mental stress of higher expectations.
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The New York Mets have dealt with enough injuries for one half. The last thing they need is to push young starters just beginning to adjust to the grind of a long season. Kudos to deGrom for putting his health over the spotlight.
The 28 year old deGrom appeared in the mid-summer classic last season, striking out the only three batters to face him on a mere ten pitches. He’s currently 5-4 with a 2.61 ERA in 93 innings pitched.
The Mets begin the second half of their season Friday night in Philadelphia.
