Jacob deGrom has made significant progress toward returning to a big league mound this season, a move that holds particular importance for the Texas ace right-hander, even though the Rangers are likely out of playoff contention.
DeGrom took the mound for the first time since April 28, 2023, as he pitched 29 pitches over two innings in a minor league rehab game at Double-A Frisco on Thursday night.
The defending World Series champions began the day 10 games behind in the AL West with 34 games left to play, so deGrom’s return is unlikely to impact the playoff race.
However, this moment is significant for the 36-year-old pitcher and the team that signed him to a $185 million, five-year deal before the 2023 season, despite his lengthy injury history. DeGrom managed only six starts before being sidelined by his second major elbow surgery.
“It’s very important,” deGrom said after striking out three batters while allowing two hits and a run. “This way, I can approach the offseason in a more normal way. If I didn’t get out there, it would feel like I’ve been rehabbing the whole time, nearly a year and a half.”
DeGrom acknowledged that location was an issue but managed to throw 21 of his pitches for strikes. The four-time All-Star showcased a mix of fastballs, including one reaching 100 mph for his first strikeout, along with sliders and a few changeups.
DeGrom mentioned that the three pitches he used in his recent game are likely to be the only ones he throws this season, and he is uncertain about the number of rehab assignments he will need.
“We haven’t reached that point yet,” deGrom said. “It’s one step at a time. First, I need to see how I recover tomorrow, and then we’ll formulate a plan from there.”
During his first nine seasons in the major leagues with the Mets, DeGrom pitched only 156 1/3 innings over 26 starts in his final two years with the team. He missed the last three months of the 2021 season due to right forearm tightness and a sprained elbow, and he didn’t make his first big league start in 2022 until August 2, after being sidelined late in spring training by a stress reaction in his right scapula.
In the previous season, Texas won all six games started by DeGrom (2-0, 2.67 ERA) before he was injured. His final game was against the New York Yankees, where he left early due to injury concerns for the second time in three starts. His surgery occurred on June 12 of the previous year.
DeGrom showed his competitive spirit during the game, appearing to joke with the home plate umpire but actually questioning a pitch that was called a ball.
“Once you’re out there, you’re competing,” DeGrom said. “That’s what we love to do. I’ve missed a year of it and really want to be out there. This is just the first step.”
Meanwhile, three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer was scheduled to make a rehab start at Frisco on Friday night as part of his recovery from right shoulder fatigue.