Mets announce NLDS rotation vs Dodgers; de Grom could go on short rest

Reporting from New York —  Jacob deGrom will start against the Dodgers in Game 1 of the National League Division Series -- and he could start Game 4 on short rest as well, New York Mets Manager Terry Collins said Sunday.

DeGrom (14-8, 2.60 ERA) starts Friday in Game 1, followed by Noah Syndergaard (9-7, 3.24) on Saturday in Game 2. When the series returns to New York, Matt Harvey (13-8, 2.71) will start Game 3.

The Mets tentatively had slotted rookie Steven Matz for Game 4, but Matz has experienced back stiffness. The Mets want him to throw in instructional league next week before deciding whether he would start Game 4. Bartolo Colon would be available, but Collins also raised the possibility that deGrom could start that game.

“We plan on winning,” Collins said. “We plan on moving forward. If that’s what we need to do to move forward, we need to be open to trying it.”

The Dodgers have started Clayton Kershaw on short rest in Game 4 of the division series in each of the last two years. The off day thereafter means that a Game 2 starter -- Syndergaard, in the Mets’ case -- could start Game 5 on regular rest.

DeGrom has pitched 187 innings this season. For the Dodgers, Kershaw has pitched 229 innings and Zack Grienke 223 -- with Kershaw yet to make his Sunday start.

Collins said that de Grom has agreed to pitch on short rest if necessary but said the Mets have made no decision, and the manager sounded as if he regretted disclosing the idea now.

“If we do it, we’re wrong,” he said. “If we don’t do it, we’re wrong. It’s just a thought.”

Collins also said that infielder Juan Uribe -- who started the season as the Dodgers’ third baseman -- was “very iffy” for inclusion on the Mets’ NLDS roster. Uribe has discomfort in his chest area.