DeGrom allowed two hits and struck out four over three scoreless innings in Sunday's spring start against the Mariners.
DeGrom made his Cactus League debut after being brought along slowly from a side injury. The right-hander looked sharp his first time out, hitting 100 mph twice in three innings while the fastball consistently clocked in at 97-99 mph, per Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. DeGrom worked around a first-inning triple, getting a couple of punch-outs, then left a runner stranded in the third following a leadoff single. He threw 34 pitches (28 strikes) during an efficient outing then tossed more pitches in the bullpen to get his work in. There's time for at least one more Cactus League outing, and deGrom is expected to be on a restricted pitch count to start the regular season.
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Rangers' Jacob deGrom: Set for Cactus League debut Sunday
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DeGrom (side) will make his Cactus League debut Sunday against the Mariners, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.
DeGrom looked good in a start against minor leaguers earlier this week, striking out five while allowing one run over two innings. He figures to be ready for three innings Sunday as he ramps up for the start of the regular season. Manager Bruce Bochy has said that deGrom will likely be on a 75-80 pitch count at the beginning of the regular season after missing so much time this spring with side tightness.
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Rangers' Jacob deGrom: Likely on pitch count early
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Manager Bruce Bochy indicated Wednesday that deGrom (side) is likely to be on a pitch count to start the season, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.
Bocy said both deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi (side) may be restricted to 75-to-80 pitches to begin the season while coming off their respective injuries. That means guys like Dane Dunning, Glenn Otto or Cole Ragans could be paired with the starters. DeGrom recently threw two innings in a minor-league game and is ramping up for the regular season.
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Rangers' Jacob deGrom: Looks sharp in minor-league start
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DeGrom (side) struck out five and allowed one run over two innings during his start in a minor-league spring game Monday and said afterward that he believes he'll be available to start the Rangers' regular-season opener March 30 versus the Phillies, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports. "That's up to [the Rangers' coaching staff]" deGrom said after Monday's start. "I'm here to help us win. If it falls that I'm on Opening Day, that's a huge honor."
DeGrom's spring debut was delayed after he had his throwing program slowed down early in spring training when he experienced left side tightness, but he looked to be healthy and as dialed in as ever Monday while using all four of his pitches in the outing. The lone run he allowed came on a fluky inside-the-park home run, and deGrom was able to rebound swiftly thereafter and closed the start on a high note, coming away especially pleased with how he threw his changeup and curveball. DeGrom went on to throw an additional 26 pitches in the bullpen following the two-inning appearance, so he looks like he'll be on pace to handle something resembling a normal workload by the time the regular season begins even if he only makes one or two more starts in spring training.
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Rangers' Jacob deGrom: Starting minor-league game
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DeGrom (side) will start a minor-league spring training game on the back fields Monday, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.
The veteran right-hander won't start Monday's Cactus League contest as previously rumored, but he'll still see game action. He's working his way back from left side tightness and sat around 98-99 mph during a 35-pitch session of live batting practice last week. Assuming all goes well Monday, deGrom could gain full clearance shortly thereafter, though it's possible he'll still begin the campaign with a limited workload.
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Rangers' Jacob deGrom: Could pitch in Cactus game Monday
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DeGrom (side) could make his Cactus League debut as soon as Monday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Working his way back from left side tightness, deGrom sat at 98-99 mph during a 35-pitch live batting practice session Wednesday. As long as he rebounds from that throwing session with no issues, he should be cleared to return to game action. The two-time Cy Young winner remains on track for the start of the season, although it's probably not reasonable to expect a normal workload right out of the gate.
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Rangers' Jacob deGrom: Facing live hitters Wednesday
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Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said DeGrom (side) will throw a live batting practice session Wednesday, Levi Weaver of The Athleticreports.
The right-hander is expected to toss around 30 pitches in the session and remains "on schedule" for the start of the regular season, despite having not pitched in a Cactus League game yet. Though all updates offered by Bochy and deGrom have suggested that the side injury that first cropped up in late February isn't a concern, it's understandable if fantasy managers are skeptical after the two-time Cy Young Award winner's injury-plagued 2021 and 2022 campaigns. Those who haven't drafted yet will want to keep a close eye on reports regarding deGrom after Wednesday's live session. If he sticks to a normal schedule of four days off before facing hitters again, deGrom could make his spring debut as soon as next Monday versus the Diamondbacks.
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Rangers' Jacob deGrom: Will throw BP session Wednesday
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DeGrom (side) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
DeGrom was able to throw a bullpen session Saturday, and Rangers manager Bruce Bochy announced that the right-hander was "on schedule" for the regular season on Sunday. Because of his injury history over the last two years, fantasy managers will want to pay close attention to the right-hander's development, but for now, it appears deGrom will be on the bump for Opening Day in his first campaign with the Rangers.
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Rangers' Jacob deGrom: Two more bullpens
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Texas manager Bruce Bochy said deGrom (side) is expected to throw two more bullpen sessions before getting into a spring training game, Jack Magruder of MLB.com reports.
After deGrom threw a second bullpen session Sunday, Bochy declared the right-hander on schedule for the regular season. Apparently, part of that schedule includes at least two more sessions, one of which may include batters. Mitch Garver, who caught Sunday's session, referred to deGrom's fastball as "special" and estimated the pitcher was at about 85 percent.
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Rangers' Jacob deGrom: Throws second bullpen
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DeGrom (side) threw a bullpen session Sunday, Matthew Postins of SI.com reports.
Texas manager Bruce Bochy said deGrom is on schedule for the regular season after the right-hander threw his second bullpen session. The Rangers want deGrom to throw one live batting practice session before appearing in a spring game -- two bullpens and one live BP session has been the practice for all Texas starters thus far.
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Rangers' Jacob deGrom: Low-intensity fastballs in bullpen
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DeGrom's (side) bullpen session Thursday consisted of 20 fastballs at relatively low intensity, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN reports.
There were no breaking balls and the effort level was pretty minimal but, as deGrom said afterward, "it was a small step, but a step in the right direction." The right-hander is expected to miss at least the first week of Cactus League games as he eases back into things after feeling some left side tightness, but he's progressing slowly but surely.
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Rangers' Jacob deGrom: Completes bullpen session
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DeGrom (side) threw a 22-pitch bullpen session Thursday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
DeGrom and Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux looked to be all smiles after the pitcher completed his mound work, which seems like a good sign. The ace is a little behind schedule due to some tightness in his left side, which cropped up at the start of camp, but he's progressed well since then. While deGrom is not expected to appear during the team's first week of Cactus League games, it shouldn't be long after that assuming all goes well.
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Rangers' Jacob deGrom: Bullpen session coming Thursday
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Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said deGrom (side) will throw his first bullpen session of spring training Thursday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
DeGrom will wind up having his spring throwing progression pushed back about a week on account of left side tightness, after the minor injury coupled with cold weather in Arizona prompted the Rangers to scratch him from his previously scheduled bullpen session last Wednesday. The two-time Cy Young Award winner was able to resume throwing and fielding drills Sunday, and after experiencing no setbacks while working out for the past few days, deGrom will step back on the mound Thursday. He's not expected to be included in the pitching schedule for the Rangers' first week of Cactus League games, but deGrom nonetheless looks to be on track to be fully ramped up well in advance of Opening Day.
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Rangers' Jacob deGrom: Plays catch again
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DeGrom (side) played catch Monday for a second consecutive day, Jesse Borek of MLB.com reports.
DeGrom is ramping up at a measured pace after the Rangers held him back from throwing last week. Texas manager Bruce Bochy would not put a firm date on when the right-hander will throw a bullpen session, but the manager expects that to occur later this week.
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Rangers' Jacob deGrom: Responds well to workout
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DeGrom (side) felt good during his workout Sunday and appears on track to continue his throwing program Monday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Shortly after reporting to the Rangers for his first spring training with his new organization, deGrom experienced left side tightness in a bullpen session, resulting in the coaching staff shutting him down for workouts for a few days. However, the minor side injury looks to be mostly in the rearview mirror at this point, and if he can get back on the mound within the next day or two, he shouldn't find himself too far behind the Rangers' other starting pitchers once Cactus League play opens next weekend. Though deGrom isn't expected to pitch during the Rangers' first week of spring games, that's likely in deference to his status as the staff ace rather than any legitimate concern about his injury. Instead, expect the Rangers to use the first week of spring games to get longer evaluations on some of the pitchers who are fighting for spots on the Opening Day roster.
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Rangers' Jacob deGrom: Game action put off
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DeGrom (side) isn't expected to pitch during the Rangers' first week of Cactus League games, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
DeGrom was removed from workouts for four days with tightness in his side but is scheduled to resume on-field activity Sunday. The Rangers are exhibiting an abundance of caution with the right-hander, and Grant notes that deGrom's initial action may come in "B" games or intra-squad games, where the environment is more controlled.
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Rangers' Jacob deGrom: Field work coming Sunday
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DeGrom (side) won't throw a bullpen session Sunday but will play catch and go through fielding drills, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.
DeGrom is dealing with some side tightness early in camp, and while the issue is a very common one for pitchers to experience at this stage of spring, it's brought extra scrutiny given deGrom's talent level and lengthy recent injury history. The Rangers have suggested he would be able to pitch through the problem in the regular season, but there's no reason to push things with Opening Day still nearly six weeks away. DeGrom will take part in some activities Sunday with an eye towards potentially throwing a bullpen session Monday or Tuesday.
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Rangers' Jacob deGrom: Could throw Sunday or Monday
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DeGrom (side) could resume throwing Sunday or Monday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
DeGrom's throwing program is on pause after he felt some tightness in his left side during a bullpen session earlier this week. The Rangers have downplayed the severity of the issue, suggesting the veteran right-hander would be pitching if it were the regular season. The injury isn't a concern at this point, but obviously deGrom will be watched closely over the next several days.
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Rangers' Jacob deGrom: Throwing session pushed back
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Rangers general manager Chris Young said Wednesday that DeGrom felt tightness in his left side during a bullpen session earlier this week and won't throw again for another day or two, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.
Though anything remotely injury related pertaining to deGrom is sure to raise concerns for fantasy managers, Levi Weaver of The Athletic relays that the Rangers said that the side issue isn't serious and would be something the star right-hander would be able to pitch through during the regular season. However, with spring training in its earliest stage and due to the unseasonably cold weather in Arizona, Young said the Rangers opted to delay deGrom's next throwing session out of "an abundance of caution." Those invested in deGrom will still want to check back on the news over the next few days to ensure that he did in fact resume his throwing program, as Young suggested will be the case.
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Rangers' Jacob deGrom: Gets massive five-year deal
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DeGrom signed a five-year, $185 million contract with the Rangers on Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
The contract includes a conditional sixth year that would make the deal worth $222 million. He has a full no-trade clause. The commitment from ownership in Texas has been quite impressive, as they laid out $556 million for Corey Seager, Marcus Semien and Jon Gray last offseason. DeGrom unsurprisingly opted for a longer contract than he might have been offered by other teams, as durability is the only question mark with him. The 34-year-old righty logged a 3.08 ERA, 2.13 FIP and 0.75 WHIP in 64.1 innings last season with the Mets after dealing with a shoulder injury for the first four months. He dealt with an elbow injury in 2021. According to Statcast park factors, Globe Life Field is the 19th most hitter-friendly park while Citi Field ranked 26th, so it's a slight park downgrade and a major supporting cast downgrade.
