Frightening News For Mets Fans on Jacob deGrom

This is no April Fool's joke: Jacob deGrom will not make his Grapefruit League start today for the New York Mets due to "shoulder tightness." Yikes. deGrom, of course, missed huge swaths of the 2021 season due to a variety of injuries, including a forearm strain that kept him out of the entire 2nd half. This news can't be anything but frightening for the Mets.

The Mets have officially scratched Jacob deGrom from his scheduled start today. He will receive an MRI exam, following yesterday’s shoulder tightness while playing catch.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) April 1, 2022

deGrom experienced the shoulder tightness while playing catch on Thursday; he will have an MRI today to determine the next steps.

The Mets' ace began 2021 on the way to an all-time legendary season, with a 1.08 ERA and an equally-ridiculous 0.55 WHIP in 92 innings, while striking out 146. But then the injuries to his right side began. He had no less than five MRIs during the season, and finally the forearm strain shut him down.

The Mets went out this offseason and fortified their starting rotation by adding 3-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer in free agency, along with Oakland A's ace Chris Bassitt in a trade. But losing deGrom for any period of time throws a serious wrench into their post-season plans.

Mets fans now can only wait and worry. MLB Insider Jon Heyman called it "very concerning":