Mets to place Jacob deGrom on injured list with right side tightness

The Mets are placing starting pitcher Jacob deGrom on the 10-day injured list with right side tightness, the team announced Monday:

After being scratched from a start against the Cardinals earlier this week due to right lat inflammation, deGrom returned Sunday but exited his start against the Diamondbacks after five innings due to side tightness. He underwent an MRI Sunday, and while the Mets say it came back clean, they’re putting him on the injured list anyway in an attempt to be precautious with their most indispensible player.

deGrom could theoretically miss just one start and return for next season’s series against the Marlins, though it’s possible that the Mets will aim to exercise even more caution since the side issue hampered deGrom on two separate occasions this week.

The 32-year-old deGrom, a two-time Cy Young winner who is widely regarded as the best pitcher in the sport, has a 0.68 ERA and a 0.60 WHIP with 65 strikeouts and seven walks in 40 innings over six starts this season.