According to the team’s latest update, Texas Rangers star Jacob deGrom is trending in a promising direction as he continues to work his way back from an injury.
deGrom has not pitched in an MLB game in over a year. The 36-year-old is attempting to return from Tommy John surgery, a procedure he received in June of 2023. deGrom has received various updates throughout the 2024 season and the most recent one is especially encouraging.
Jacob deGrom Injury Update
The two-time Cy Young Award winner reportedly threw 35 pitches during a bullpen on Friday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports. Landry notes that deGrom threw sliders in addition to fastballs. Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said deGrom “felt great” and that the bullpen “went well.”
Jacob deGrom threw a bullpen of pitches today. He mixed in some sliders along with fastballs.
Bruce Bochy: “All went well, he felt great.”
— kennedi landry (@kennlandry) July 19, 2024
deGrom signed with the Rangers before the 2023 season. He started his career in Texas strong, recording a 2.67 ERA across six outings. The injury bug unfortunately caught up with Jacob deGrom, however, and he ended up undergoing Tommy John surgery.
People around the MLB world have differing opinions on whether the Rangers should buy or sell ahead of the MLB trade deadline. If Texas plays well to start the second half, then the ball club may opt to buy. Of course, a deGrom injury return would feel like a midseason acquisition on its own.
What To Expect From deGrom Once He Returns
It is difficult to make any predictions about deGrom’s performance once he returns. He is in his mid-30s and pitchers often begin to display signs of decline at his age. With that being said, there has been a recent number of pitchers who have found success into their late 30s (Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer). Additionally, deGrom is one of the best pitchers in the entire sport when he is healthy.
deGrom may initially struggle since he has not pitched in an MLB game in so long. Once deGrom finds his rhythm, though, he may be a difference-maker for the Rangers starting rotation. deGrom’s injury timeline remains fairly uncertain but he is taking promising steps towards a return.
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