The fifth pitch from Jacob deGrom in the Mets’ 3-1 extra-innings loss on Wednesday was a 98-mile-per-hour fastball at the knees of Atlanta Braves center fielder Ender Inciarte, who fouled it off. That was faster than any of the 2,353 pitches deGrom threw during his 2016 season, which was hampered by injuries.
“Last year, it felt like all I could do to get to 93 or 94,” deGrom said.
DeGrom started that season with slower velocity, then experienced latissimus dorsi tightness in April and discomfort in his elbow in September, requiring surgery. He still posted a 3.