Jacob deGrom will get back on a mound Thursday for the second time since being shut down with forearm tightness, but his schedule beyond that remains hazy.
The Mets ace is scheduled to throw a light bullpen session. Rojas said deGrom is “feeling better and better each day,” but the club is still approaching his comeback cautiously.
“We’re keeping it close-range,” Rojas said. “It’s encouraging to listen to him say he feels better and better each day.
“Is it night and day? I don’t think it’s fully night and day, but I think he’s progressing. …Right now we [can’t] plan out past tomorrow because we gotta see how he feels even tomorrow before the side and then tomorrow after the side.”
Dominic Smith, who was double-switched out of Tuesday’s game in the fourth inning as Jerad Eickhoff imploded, was out of Wednesday’s lineup against Braves left-hander Max Fried.
“It’s more so to keep him fresh so he can start maybe for us the next five days,” Rojas said.
A day after Eickhoff gave up 10 runs while recording just 10 outs in a 12-5 loss to the Braves, the Mets designated him for assignment for the third time this season. It made room for right-hander Akeem Bostick, who was called up from Triple-A Syracuse to provide length out of the bullpen.
The Mets have finalized their rotation for this weekend’s series against the Reds. Carlos Carrasco will make his Mets debut Friday, Rich Hill will start Saturday for the second time since being acquired from the Rays and Marcus Stroman will pitch on an extra day of rest Sunday.
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