MLB Weekly Digest April 4th Edition: New York Mets Starting Pitcher Jacob deGrom Out One Month with Shoulder Injury

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The last week in MLB was about a starting pitcher in the National League who is dealing with a shoulder injury, a club acquires a closer, and a team selects their starter for Opening Day.

New York Mets Starting Pitcher Jacob deGrom Sidelined for One Month with Shoulder Injury

According to a team announcement Friday, New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom will be shut down for one month after an MRI revealed a stress fracture on his scapula that caused inflammation.

Jacob deGrom underwent an MRI today that revealed a stress reaction on his scapula that has caused inflammation in the area. The immediate prescription is for Jake to discontinue throwing for up to 4 weeks and then reimage the area. At that time, we’ll update the plan of care.

— New York Mets (@Mets) April 1, 2022

deGrom will be re-evaluated in a month as the team will reimage the area.

The right-handed pitcher felt tightness in the back of his right shoulder while playing catch Thursday and was scratched from his spring start Friday.

deGrom was terrific for the Mets last season but was limited to 15 starts due to many injuries.

He posted a 1.08 ERA in 92 innings pitched with 146 strikeouts, 11 walks issued, six home runs yielded, a 1.24 FIP, 0.55 WHIP, and 373 ERA+.

The loss of deGrom is monumental for the Mets as he is one of the best starting pitchers in MLB.

The only silver lining with the deGrom injury is that it occurred before the regular season started instead of later during the year.

The key for the Mets is to have him healthy, and hopefully, his shoulder will be better within a month.

Chicago White Sox Acquire Outfielder AJ Pollock from Los Angeles Dodgers for Reliever Craig Kimbrel

According to a team announcement, the Chicago White Sox have acquired outfielder AJ Pollock from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for reliever Craig Kimbrel.

The #WhiteSox have acquired veteran outfielder AJ Pollock from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel.

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) April 1, 2022

The deal is straight up with no money exchanged, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.

The Kimbrel-for-Pollock deal is straight up. No money exchanged. Kimbrel will make $16 million this season and should slide into the closer's role with the Dodgers. Pollock is making $10 million and has a $10 million player option that includes a $5 million buyout.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 1, 2022

Kimbrel will earn $16 million this season, while Pollock will earn $10 million and has a $10-million player option for 2023 that includes a $5-million buyout.

Kimbrel will become the Dodgers new closer after Kenley Jansen signed with the Braves during the offseason.

The reliever posted a 2.26 ERA in 63 games last year with 24 saves, 100 strikeouts, six home runs surrendered, 23 walks issued, a 191 ERA+, 2.43 FIP, and 0.90 WHIP as he split time between the White Sox and Chicago Cubs.

Pollock had a solid 2021 campaign with the Dodgers as he compiled a .297 batting average and .892 OPS in 117 games with 27 doubles, 21 home runs, 69 RBIs, and nine stolen bases.

This type of deal works out for both teams involved as the White Sox acquire a proven outfielder in Pollock, and the Dodgers get a stellar closer in Kimbrel.

Milwaukee Brewers Select Corbin Burnes as Opening Day Starter

The Milwaukee Brewers have selected pitcher Corbin Burnes as their Opening Day starter as Brewers manager Craig Counsell made the announcement several days ago, per Adam McCalvy of MLB.com.

Corbin Burnes will start for the Brewers on Opening Day, Craig Counsell announced.

— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) March 29, 2022

Last season, the right-handed pitcher won the National League Cy Young as he was lights out on the mound.

Burnes posted a 2.43 ERA in 167 innings pitched (28 games started) with 234 strikeouts, 34 walks allowed, seven home runs allowed, a 176 ERA+, 1.63 FIP, and 0.94 WHIP.

About Post Author

Chris Lacey

Chris is a 29-year old New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

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