#Jacob deGrom likely loses chance at facing Yankees

The Mets are scheduled to play five games against the Yankees this weekend, but Jacob deGrom is unlikely to pitch in any of them.

Coming back from the COVID-19-induced layoff, manager Luis Rojas opted to start Rick Porcello and Seth Lugo in Tuesday’s doubleheader against the Marlins and then go to deGrom on Wednesday.

DeGrom most recent start was last Wednesday in Miami, but had his routine disrupted when the Mets shut down baseball activities Thursday after learning of two positive COVID-19 cases on the team. He wasn’t able to throw off the mound again until Monday at Citi Field.

“Jake wants to throw all the time,” Rojas said. “He told me he could have gone today, but it’s good he gets that in-between-start routine that he does, his bullpen session, and then he’s able to go two days after.”

Lugo had originally been scheduled to start Thursday’s game in Miami that was postponed, with Porcello following on Friday.

Assuming deGrom stays on regular rest, his next turn would not come in time to face the Yankees this weekend in a series that will include a pair of doubleheaders.

---

The rest of the Mets’ rotation remained murky beyond deGrom starting Wednesday, as Rojas declined to reveal who would start next. The Mets finish their series with the Marlins on Thursday, then have doubleheaders against the Yankees on Friday and Sunday around a single game Saturday.

Michael Wacha (shoulder inflammation) and David Peterson (shoulder fatigue) could be potential options to come off the injured list and rejoin the rotation after both completed bullpen sessions Monday. The initial feedback was positive, but Rojas said he wanted to see how they responded to throwing before deciding on their next steps.

Steven Matz could also come back to start. The struggling lefty had been shifted to the bullpen last week, losing his rotation spot to Lugo. But Rojas said he did not plan on using Matz out of the bullpen Tuesday, which indicated he could be saved for a start this week.

---

There is still no timeline for Jake Marisnick’s return, as the outfielder has been on the injured list since July 29 with a left hamstring strain. But Rojas said he is “moving in the right direction.”

“Really good right now, feedback from his progression and rehab,” Rojas said. “I think he played around six innings or seven last time at the alternate site. He had a few at-bats. It’s the best response after a game that we’ve had from him. So he’s moving well.”