For the first time since former New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom inked a five-year contract to join the Texas Rangers in December 2022, he will take the Citi Field bump as a visitor on Friday evening. 

While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, deGrom addressed what likely will be an interesting homecoming for several reasons. 

Jacob deGrom is looking forward to his Citi Field return

"I’m excited to go and pitch at Citi Field," deGrom explained, per the official MLB website. "That’s where my career started, so it holds a special place in my heart. It’ll be fun. I’m looking forward to it. I think their alumni game is going on there, too, so a lot of guys that I came up with will be there as well. It’ll be an all-around cool experience. All these games for us are very important. Same for them with the spot they’re in. It's going to be fun. We've got to win, they've got to win. It’s going to be a playoff atmosphere." 

During his stint with the big-league Mets that ran from 2014 through the 2022 season, deGrom often flashed Hall of Fame talent as he earned a pair of National League Cy Young Awards. He also dealt with numerous injury setbacks that ultimately will make him one of the top "what could have been" players of his era. As SNY's John Flanigan shared, deGrom's 155.2 innings of work this season are his most for a campaign since 2019.

Reports at the time indicated deGrom seemingly was close to re-signing with the Mets before he joined the Rangers. Some suggested he simply wanted to get out of New York at that point in his life, but he has since insisted such takes were "not true."

Jacob deGrom may feel butterflies in his stomach vs. New York Mets

"There might be a little bit more [nerves] throwing there," deGrom acknowledged on Wednesday. "I’ve pitched a lot there. Mets fans were always good to me. Taking the mound in front of that crowd was always a fun experience. Now I’m on the other side doing it. It’ll be interesting to see how it goes. Every time I take the mound, I enjoy it. Again, Mets fans were always good to me, so going out there will be fun."

The Rangers will need the 37-year-old to be at his best on Friday, as Texas began Thursday just 1.5 games out of the last American League wild-card playoff spot. Meanwhile, the free-falling Mets ended Wednesday's MLB action holding a two-game lead over the San Francisco Giants and Cincinnati Reds for the final NL wild-card postseason berth.