Jacob deGrom is set to start his rehab assignment this week.
He hasn’t played in a Major League Baseball game since April 2023 due to an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. “My arm feels great except now it’s just been, what, how many months? Fourteen?” deGrom said after facing live batters on Saturday. “You’ve got your [teammates] in there. You go face other guys, and I think that’ll help a little bit.”
It’s not clear how many starts he will need before rejoining the Rangers’ rotation. MLB rules allow pitchers up to 30 days for rehab assignments, so he should be back by mid-September at the latest.
deGrom’s Journey Back:
Before his injury, deGrom signed a five-year deal with the Rangers worth $185 million. In six starts with Texas, he had a 2.67 ERA and an impressive strikeout-to-walk ratio of 11.25 over 30 innings.
The Rangers are unlikely to make it to the postseason this year with their current record of 56-68, which puts them over ten games behind in both the American League West and wild-card races. However, having deGrom back could boost their chances of being competitive again by the time the 2025 season rolls around.
Fans might feel hopeful about his return despite the team’s struggles this season.
What do you think? Will deGrom’s return make a difference for the Rangers next year?
