The optimism surrounding the New York Mets for the 2022 MLB season could quickly be crushed with an injury to the team’s best player. Jacob deGrom will miss his scheduled spring training start Friday and instead undergo an MRI on his ailing right shoulder.

The fact that deGrom is experiencing tightness in his pitching shoulder is concerning with Opening Day less than a week away. The best pitcher in baseball when healthy, deGrom battled several injuries that kept him off the mound for much of last season.

DeGrom missed the final three months of the 2021 campaign because of a UCL sprain. When deGrom was initially placed on the injured list, the Mets described the injury as forearm “tightness.”

Five injuries forced deGrom to miss starts last season. New York’s ace experienced inflammation in his right latissimus dorsi, right side tightness and shoulder soreness, among other ailments.

Before shutting it down for good in July, deGrom was having a historic season. The right-hander pitched to a 1.08 ERA and a 0.55 WHIP in 92 innings. He struck out 146 batters for a phenomenal 13.3 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

DeGrom won the NL Cy Young Award in 2018 and 2019. He finished third in 2020 and came in ninth last year, despite falling short of 100 innings.

Max Scherzer, who was named the NL Cy Young Award winner in 2016 and 2017, signed with the Mets in the offseason. The front end of New York’s rotation has turned the team into a contender, even after going 77-85 last season.

The Mets have become a popular pick to win the 2022 World Series. If deGrom misses a significant period of time, New York’s championship hopes might have to be re-evaluated.

The Mets open the regular season against the Washington Nationals on Thursday, April 7.

Jacob deGrom New York Mets
Jacob deGrom #48 of the New York Mets pitches in the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on August 13, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
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