Mets ace Jacob deGrom wound up getting an MRI on his elbow after all -- with it taking place Monday morning before he threw a 30-pitch bullpen session at Citi Field.

The MRI came back "clean," GM Brodie Van Wagenen said prior to Monday night's game against the Phillies at Citi Field, adding that they'll see how the rest of deGrom's throwing program goes this week before determining whether he will come off the IL and return to the rotation on Friday when first eligible.

Roughly three hours before Van Wagenen spoke, deGrom tossed the aforementioned bullpen session under the watchful eye of pitching coach Dave Eiland, concluding it with a fist bump before walking across the field to the dugout.

Van Wagenen reiterated that the team never had a high level of concern about deGrom, and detailed exactly what was bothering him.

"As we all know, Jake was battling strep throat," Van Wagenen said. "His body was feeling achy throughout. He felt muscle discomfort all over his body, but with the arm you always want to be extra cautious and take a couple of days -- (he) felt good. And for Jacob, he's very routine-oriented and when he was not able to throw on his regular routine, we felt like better to get it checked out and make sure he can resume activities."

As far as any indecision about whether deGrom was going to get an MRI, Van Wagenen said they were simply listening to the player in order to help determine the best course of action -- and that best course of action involved getting the MRI.

Van Wagenen also said there was no concern about having deGrom throw between when he was placed on the IL and when he received the MRI.

"We consulted with the doctor over the weekend -- I think again, the key point for Jacob is he feels better when he throws every day," he said.

DeGrom had been scratched from his start on Saturday after manager Mickey Callaway said deGrom's elbow was "barking." He was placed on the 10-day IL retroactive to April 16 soon after they made the decision to scratch him.

"Barking is an advanced medical term that I use fro some stiffness or soreness," Callaway said on Monday. "He wouldn't be throwing right now if he was still barking."

He had initially been pushed back from Friday to Saturday due to strep throat and believed that may have contributed to his elbow discomfort.

"I think it goes back to being out of my routine," deGrom said on Saturday about the elbow issue. "Not throwing as much as I'd like to. 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 [Saturday]."

DeGrom added that he had an MRI when he signed his extension prior to the start of the season and everything was fine then.

When deGrom was placed on the IL, Van Wagenen released a statement noting he was already improving.

"Jacob dealt with sickness over the last week and hasn't been able to conduct his normal routine between starts," Van Wagenen said. "As a result, he has been scratched from tomorrow's game. Additionally, Jacob experienced some mild soreness in his throwing arm over the last 24 hours. His arm felt significantly better following treatment with our health and performance staff today. Even so, Jacob will be evaluated by our medical team in New York on Monday in the abundance of caution."

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