Two-time National League Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom’s return for the AL West-leading Texas Rangers has been delayed until late June, at the earliest, after being transferred to the 60-day injured list on Monday. DeGrom hasn’t pitched since April 28 when he exited early due to injury concerns for the second time in three starts, leading him to be placed on the 15-day IL. General Manager Chris Young reported that deGrom hasn’t improved as quickly as they had hoped, after five bullpen sessions since being placed on the IL. However, Young did mention that deGrom has recovered well in some sessions, while other sessions showed some soreness. Another MRI and additional testing are now planned for the 34-year-old right-hander who signed a $185 million, five-year contract with the Rangers in December 2020. DeGrom’s transfer to the 60-day IL makes June 28 the earliest he could be activated.
The Rangers signed deGrom in free agency after he played his first nine big league seasons with the Mets. During his last two years in New York, deGrom was limited by injuries to 156 1/3 innings over 26 starts. He had a career-low 1.08 ERA over 92 innings during the 2021 season before missing the final three months with right forearm tightness and a sprained elbow. He didn’t make his first major league start last year until August 2 after being shut down late in spring training due to a stress reaction in his right scapula.
Texas has won all six games started by deGrom this season, but the right-hander has only pitched 30 1/3 innings. He has a 2.67 ERA with 45 strikeouts and four walks. He threw 3 2/3 scoreless innings against the New York Yankees on April 28 before leaving that game because of discomfort in his right arm.
DeGrom was back with the team on Monday after going home to Florida for the birth of his third child. Young stated that deGrom is thrilled with the way the team has played and the success they have achieved, adding that deGrom wants to be a part of it and it’s difficult for him to be sitting out.
Transferring deGrom to the 60-day IL opened up a spot on the Rangers’ 40-man roster. They selected to activate Spencer Howard from the 60-day injured list. Howard had missed the first 58 games of the season due to a right lat strain.
