Apr 14, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (47) delivers a pitch against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
New York Mets received word that starting pitcher Jacob deGrom will be out indefinitely. Here are three pitchers the team can sign to attempt to fill the void in the starting rotation.
The New York Mets faithful were looking forward to the start of the 2022 season, especially considering how much the team loaded up with talent, specifically in the starting rotation. Unfortunately, there was some bad injury news for one Jacob deGrom.
On Friday, an MRI revealed that deGrom had a stress reaction in his right scapula. The team announced that he would be shut down for four weeks before being reevaluated. The season has not even started yet, and the Mets ace may miss a significant chunk of it.
While replacing deGrom is no easy feat, the team did sign Max Scherzer this offseason, so he takes over as the No. 1 starter in the rotation. New York also pulled off a trade with the Oakland Athletics for Chris Bassitt. Even with these pitchers, it would not hurt the team from signing a starter who still remains a free agent.
Here are three names the Mets should target if they choose to go down this route.
Jacob deGrom replacements Mets could add while star is sidelined
Johnny Cueto
Yes, Johnny Cueto is still a free agent. The former two-time All Star and 2015 World Series champion is coming off six year tenure with the San Francisco Giants. He is not an ace, and has dealt with his fair share of injuries, but with Opening Day so close, Cueto is probably one of the best options available in free agency.
Last season, Cueto started in 21 games (22 games pitched), where he missed most of the month of September due to an elbow injury. Through those appearances, Cueto recorded a 4.08 ERA, a 1.369 WHIP and 98 strikeouts over 114.2 innings of work.
Cueto has had recent reported interest from the Minnesota Twins, so the Mets may need to act quick if they want to add him to the rotation.