PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Concerned about being too far away from his wife with the couple's first child due on Tuesday, Jacob deGrom will skip the Mets' trip to Las Vegas this week.
Originally scheduled to start the first of New York's two exhibitions against the Cubs in Vegas, deGrom will instead throw in a Minor League game at Port St. Lucie. The Mets have lined deGrom up to pitch their home opener on April 8, in large part because they were concerned about his availability Sunday or Tuesday against the Royals.
Matt Harvey will instead start the opener, with Noah Syndergaard pitching Game 2.
In deGrom's place against the Cubs, prospect Paul Sewald will start a bullpen game for the Mets in his hometown of Las Vegas. Sewald saved 24 games with a 1.75 ERA in 44 appearances last year for Double-A Binghamton.