Mets' deGrom wants to be more like Colon, pitch 200 innings
Jacob deGrom wants to erase the memories of an injury-riddled season in the best possible way.
Like the majority of the New York Mets' starting rotation, deGrom was bothered by injuries in 2016 that ultimately ended his season early when he underwent surgery to repair the ulnar nerve in his right arm.
But the 28-year-old, now fully recovered from the setback, wants to channel the qualities of a former teammate as he sets his eyes on his next goal: pitching 200 innings.
"That's what I want to do. … The goal is to get 200 during the regular season," deGrom told MLB.com's Anthony DiComo. "You get guys like Bartolo (Colon) who do that, they stay around for a long time. That's kind of the main goal."
It's not surprising that Colon is deGrom's ideal model of consistency. In 2014, Colon's first year with the Mets as well as deGrom's rookie year, the pudgy hurler threw 202 2/3 innings. He never tossed less than 191 innings in any of his three seasons with New York.
Coincidentally, deGrom is also lined up to start April 5 against Colon and his new club, the Atlanta Braves, when the Mets right-hander hopes to go from grasshopper to master against the 43-year-old veteran.
"I don't think I'll buzz him," deGrom said jokingly, according to DiComo. "I just don't want him to get a hit off me."