DeGrom declined his $30.5 million player option for 2023 on Monday, becoming a free agent.

EDGE Analysis

DeGrom chose to exercise the opt-out clause in the five-year, $137.5 million contract extension he signed in March 2019 to try his luck in free agency for the first time since being drafted by the Mets in 2010. Though he was bogged down by a shoulder injury to open the campaign, the 34-year-old was electric when on the mound this season, producing a 3.08 ERA and 0.75 WHIP with 102 punchouts over 64.1 innings in 11 starts. After making at least 30 starts in four of his first six seasons in the league, deGrom has logged only 38 total outings over the last three years. Even so, deGrom maintains a career 2.52 ERA over nine MLB seasons, and his otherworldly numbers on a per-start basis make it likely that he earns the largest average annual value contract for any pitcher in this season's free-agency class. The Mets will presumably make retaining deGrom a high priority, but expect several contending clubs to at least put forth competitive offers.

DeGrom (finger) will start Saturday's Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Padres, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

EDGE Analysis

This was always expected, though manager Buck Showalter briefly entertained the idea of saving deGrom for the NLDS. Any thought of that went out the window when Max Scherzer was rocked for seven runs -- including four homers -- in Friday's Game 1 loss. DeGrom left his final start of the regular season with a blister on his hand, but Showalter said Thursday that "we don't foresee it to be an issue."

Manager Buck Showalter downplayed deGrom's blister issue Thursday and said, "we don't foresee it to be an issue," Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran right-hander dealt with the blister across his final two starts of the regular season, but it appears the issue won't affect his outlook for the start of the playoffs. Max Scherzer is pitching Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series versus the Padres on Friday, and deGrom is expected to take the mound either Saturday or Sunday, depending on the outcome of the series opener.

DeGrom isn't concerned about the blister that forced an early exit from his start Friday against Atlanta, saying, "This will be fine," Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

DeGrom's three runs allowed in six innings were a disappointment by his lofty standards, though his 11 strikeouts and no walks were sharp marks. It looks as though he'll have a chance to start Wednesday against Washington, though he might only be asked to do so if playoff seeding is on the line.

DeGrom (5-4) exited Friday's start against Atlanta with a blister, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports. He gave up three earned runs on five hits while striking out 11 and taking the loss.

EDGE Analysis

DeGrom threw 86 pitches and could have stayed in for the seventh inning if not for the blister. Austin Riley and Matt Olson hit back-to-back homers against deGrom at one point, so perhaps the blister was affecting his command. He tentatively lines up to pitch on the final day of the season against the Nationals, but the Mets may opt to give deGrom more time to get past this blister in advance of the postseason.

Manager Buck Showalter said deGrom's next start will come Friday in the series opener against Atlanta, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

DeGrom was originally projected to start Saturday, but he will be moved up a day and go toe-to-toe with Atlanta's ace, Max Fried. DeGrom has faced Atlanta twice this season, allowing a combined five earned runs with 21 strikeouts over 12.1 innings.

DeGrom (5-3) gave up five earned runs on six hits and four walks while striking out five over four innings to take the loss in a 10-4 defeat against the Athletics on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

DeGrom had his worst start of the season in what appeared on paper like a very favorable matchup against one of the weaker lineups in baseball. He opened the game in an uncharacteristic fashion by loading the bases on a single and back-to-back walks. It was the first time that he allowed two or more walks over his past 13 starts. Dermis Garcia then hit a catchable line drive to left field that was played terribly by Jeff McNeil, who tripped and fell on the play, allowing two runs to score. DeGrom still boasts a 2.93 ERA and will look to bounce back into his usual form in his next expected start at Atlanta.

DeGrom allowed three runs on four hits while striking out 13 in five innings in a 7-3 win Sunday against Pittsburgh. He did not factor into the decision.

EDGE Analysis

DeGrom was nearly unhittable through the first five innings, allowing a double to Oneil Cruz to begin the game before striking out 13 of the next 15 batters he faced. The Pirates got to him in the sixth, though, as the first two batters recorded singles and Cruz deposited a pitch into the seats for a three-run homer. DeGrom has allowed homers in four of his last five appearances and has allowed three runs in each of his last two starts. With Sunday's 13 punch outs, he's struck out 44.1 percent of batters faced this year. His next start will likely be next weekend in Oakland.

DeGrom (5-2) took the loss Tuesday, allowing three runs on four hits over six innings against the Cubs. He struck out 10.

EDGE Analysis

A solo home run in the top of the second and a couple of timely hits and sacrifices in the fourth led to deGrom taking his second loss, despite another quality start. With 10 strikeouts and no walks Tuesday, he recorded double-digit strikeouts for the third time in eight starts and owns a marvelous 73:4 K:BB. He will take a 2.01 ERA into his next start.

DeGrom (5-1) picked up the win in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Pirates, allowing three hits and a walk over seven scoreless innings. He struck out eight.

EDGE Analysis

Chris Bassitt fanned 10 batters while giving up just one run in the matinee as the Mets swept the twin bill, and deGrom answered with a dominant start of his own in the nightcap. The two-time Cy Young Award winner fired 59 of 91 pitches for strikes and let only one Pittsburgh baserunner get into scoring position en route to his fifth straight quality start. Since making his season debut at the beginning of August, deGrom boasts a 1.66 ERA, 0.55 WHIP and 63:4 K:BB through 43.1 innings.