ARLINGTON, Texas — Jacob deGrom is on the mound for the Texas Rangers in Tuesday’s series opener against the Boston Red Sox, five days after groin tightness ended his last start. First pitch at Globe Life Field is 7:05 p.m. CT on Rangers Sports Network, and Boston is starting left-hander Patrick Sandoval.
On Thursday at T-Mobile Park, deGrom’s groin tightened as he ran to cover first base on a fourth-inning ground ball. He told the Rangers he was fine and stayed in the game against the Seattle Mariners. He retired the first 15 batters he faced. A leadoff single off his glove in the sixth was the only hit he allowed.
Rangers manager Skip Schumaker went to the mound with a trainer later in the sixth, and deGrom did not pitch the seventh. He finished with 6 innings, 1 hit, 0 earned runs, 1 walk, and 12 strikeouts on 92 pitches, 64 of them strikes.
It was his first 12-strikeout game since Sept. 18, 2022. For the fifth time in his career, he struck out 8 of the first 9 batters he faced. Texas led 3-0 when he left and lost 4-3.
Skip Schumaker On Jacob deGrom’s Groin
By Saturday, deGrom was feeling a little better than he had Friday, Schumaker said on Rangers Sports Network before Texas played the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix.
“Pretty sore. He was pretty sore yesterday,” Schumaker said. “I’m not sure what the bullpen looks like. He might be skipping his bullpen in hopes to give his groin a little bit more rest and hopefully still makes his next start. But it’s kind of day-to-day, and he feels a little bit better today, which is good news.”
Texas never placed deGrom on the injured list. A mild left glute strain cost him the July 12 finale against the Houston Astros. Neck stiffness scratched him from his 2026 debut, and knee soreness cost him time in April.
This season, deGrom is 10-9 with a 3.80 ERA in 28 starts. He has 186 strikeouts over 149 1/3 innings. The 38-year-old is 106-74 with a 2.69 ERA across 13 major league seasons. He won the National League Cy Young Award in 2018 and 2019 with the New York Mets, and he was the American League Comeback Player of the Year in 2025.
Patrick Sandoval Starts For Boston
Sandoval is 1-5 with a 4.58 ERA and a 1.76 WHIP in 11 starts for the Red Sox, with 57 strikeouts. Through his first six starts, he had a 3.30 ERA. Over his last five outings, he is 0-4 with a 6.12 ERA.
On Sept. 8 at Fenway Park, Sandoval allowed 4 runs over 6 innings against the Los Angeles Angels. He pitched for the Angels from 2019 to 2024 and did not appear in the majors in 2025. His career record is 20-50 with a 4.07 ERA.
Monday was an off day for both teams. Texas is 74-76 and one game behind Houston in the American League West, with the Astros holding the tiebreaker. Boston is 82-68 and holds an American League wild-card spot with 12 games left.
In Wednesday’s game, MacKenzie Gore starts against Red Sox rookie left-hander Jake Bennett. Texas has not named a starter for Thursday, when Boston has right-hander Sonny Gray scheduled.
