Cubs will miss Mets ace deGrom after all
Mets ace Jacob deGrom was originally scheduled to pitch against the Cubs in Thursday's finale of this week's three-game series at Wrigley Field.
But the Mets decided to push him back a day, so he's now scheduled to face division-rival Washington on Friday. New York is now planning to start Joey Lucchesi on Thursday against Trevor Williams. Both deGrom and Lucchesi last pitched on Saturday, in a doubleheader at Colorado.
DeGrom has an 0.45 ERA with 35 strikeouts in 20 innings pitched this season. Lucchesi's ERA is 5.40.
"Jake this time wanted the extra day, and it keeps Lucchesi in line, too," Mets manager Luis Rojas said before Tuesday's game, according to The Associated Press. "So it just works well. He had the lesser amount of pitches in his outing, so we're going with him on Thursday and then Jake will pitch when we get back to New York."
• Cubs first base coach Craig Driver returned to the field Tuesday after missing a couple weeks with a positive COVID test.
• David Bote was a late scratch from Tuesday's lineup due to an upset stomach, replaced at second base by Eric Sogard.
• Limited single game tickets for games from May 3 through June 2 will go on sale Friday.