DeGrom tossed five scoreless innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles, allowing only one hit and striking out eight.

EDGE Analysis

He's only been able to make two starts this spring due to back stiffness, but deGrom's made them count, racking up a 12:1 K:BB through 7.2 innings. The right-hander is coming off his first career 200-inning campaign, as well as career highs in wins and strikeouts, and it looks like he'll be fully healthy and ready to go by Opening Day.

DeGrom (back) is slated to start the Mets' second game of the regular season, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

There had been some worry that deGrom wouldn't be recovered from his back stiffness in time to be available for Opening Day, and it turns out that technically he won't be. The Mets may have turned to Noah Syndergaard for Opening Day regardless of deGrom's health, though, so this shouldn't be taken as a negative sign for deGrom going into the regular season. It's undoubtedly a positive that the Mets believe deGrom won't have to skip his turn in the rotation. Barring any setbacks, deGrom can be treated as healthy heading into the season.

DeGrom (back) made his spring debut Sunday, allowing two runs on two hits and a walk over 2.2 innings against the Astros, Matt Ehalt of The Bergen Record reports.

EDGE Analysis

While deGrom was knocked for two runs, after the game he said that his back feels fine that he hasn't dealt with any lingering pain since reporting to camp. During his outing he was able to log four strikeouts and threw a total of 47 pitches, with 28 being strikes. Although it remains unlikely that he'll be the Mets' Opening Day starter, the club doesn't seem to think that he'll be unavailable for an extended period of time when the season begins. Additional information regarding deGrom's availability should surface as he sees more time during New York's remaining Grapefruit League outings.

DeGrom (back) threw a 37-pitch bullpen session Thursday and said afterward that he felt "wonderful," Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

With deGrom's bullpen session going according to plan, he'll take the hill Sunday against the Astros in his Grapefruit League debut. The outing will mark the second time he'll have faced hitters this spring; deGrom previously tossed live batting practice to rehabbing teammates Dominic Smith, Juan Lagares and TIm Tebow on Tuesday. According to Matt Ehalt of The Bergen Record, Mets pitching coach Dave Eiland relayed earlier this week that deGrom will need to face hitters on five occasions -- be it in live BP sessions or spring games -- before receiving clearance to make his season debut. That stipulation makes it unlikely deGrom will start Opening Day against the Cardinals, though he should be ready to pitch in one of the final two games of the series March 31 or April 1.

DeGrom (back) is in line to make his first spring start Sunday, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

DeGrom has been battling lower-back stiffness all spring and has yet to make his Grapefruit League debut. If he is able to make his start on Sunday, he could be ready at some point in the first week of the season, though an Opening Day start appears unlikely. The Mets, of course, will have no problem giving Noah Syndergaard the ball on Opening Day. It sounds as though the best case would see deGrom starting the team's second game (on March 31st), while the worst case, barring unexpected setbacks, will see him missing one start and taking his turn in the rotation the second time through.

DeGrom (back) threw a live batting practice session Tuesday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

EDGE Analysis

DeGrom's status for Opening Day remains in question as he works his way back from back stiffness. A live batting practice session represents another milestone for him, and even if he's not ready for Opening Day, he doesn't appear likely to miss much of the regular season.

DeGrom (back) is scheduled to pitch a simulated game Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

DeGrom pitched a bullpen session rather than a simulated game Sunday, and although he appears to be making progress, it may not be happening as quickly as anticipated. The right-hander was hesitant to say anything definitive when asked about Opening Day, and suggested he'll need to make roughly four starts for that to become a possibility. Nonetheless, pitching coach Dave Eiland wouldn't rule out the idea of deGrom making an Opening Day start. Fortunately for fantasy owners, even if deGrom doesn't get the nod on the opener, it sounds like a return won't be too far off.

DeGrom (back) threw 30-40 pitches in a bullpen session Sunday, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

DeGrom had been hoping to face live hitters, and although Michael Conforto stood in the box, he did not take swings. The next step for deGrom will be a live batting practice, after which a clearer picture of his return date will be painted.

DeGrom (back) may not be ready to pitch Opening Day depending on his level of activity over spring training, Matt Ehalt of The Bergen Record reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Mets want deGrom to make five starts over the duration of the Grapefruit League. However, at this point in time it looks as if he may fall short of the desired mark and only be able to start four games. The next step for deGrom will be pitching a live batting practice session Sunday, so more information regarding his eventual Grapefruit League debut should be available soon.

DeGrom (back) threw a bullpen session Friday, Matt Ehalt of The Bergen Record reports.

EDGE Analysis

DeGrom threw 15-to-20 pitches during a modified bullpen session Wednesday, but Friday's session was more extensive and now it appears the next step will likely be making an appearance in Grapefruit League action. As a result, his plan to be ready by Opening Day remains on track.