The Mets appear to have some reason for optimism surrounding Jacob deGrom's elbow.

After placing the right-hander on the 10-day injured list on Friday and scheduling an MRI in New York for Monday, Mets manager Mickey Callaway told reporters before Saturday's game against the Cardinals that deGrom may not have an MRI at all, although he will still be evaluated by doctors.

DeGrom even long-tossed from 120 feet on Saturday and said afterward that everything "felt completely normal" and believes that his soreness stemmed from falling off his routine due to being sick since the Atlanta series.

"I think it goes back to being out of my routine. Not throwing as much as I'd like too," deGrom said. "I talk about it all the time how much I throw and prepare between starts. I had a fever, body aches, all that stuff going on. Everything was aching. I came in on the off day to throw and it was a little sore and decided to say something instead of push it and try to go today."

While deGrom must still visit with the doctors, he said the reason he threw on Saturday was so he can stay on schedule and return as soon as possible if everything checks out.

"I feel better when I throw," deGrom said. "We discussed should we wait until I see the doctor? It's not feeling bad, so why go two or three more days without throwing. ... Now I can have a bullpen on Tuesday."

DeGrom had struggled in his previous two starts, failing to pitch beyond the fifth inning and allowing three and six runs, respectively. Yet the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner said he did not experience any soreness or issues with his elbows in those outings.

"I got an MRI when I signed the deal and everything was fine," he said. "I don't think anything happened in those four starts. I would have felt something on a pitch. I think it goes back to being run down, not feeling well ... Dave [Eiland] and Mickey were even saying if you weren't feeling this [in the elbow] we'd consider you skipping this [start]."

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