WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Jacob deGrom played catch Sunday, his first time throwing since right triceps fatigue forced him out of Thursday’s start against the Los Angeles Angels after 2 innings.
Texas Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said the session “went really well,” according to Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News.
deGrom’s next turn in the rotation comes Wednesday against the Washington Nationals at Globe Life Field, and Texas has not ruled him out.
Jacob deGrom Throws Again After Triceps Fatigue
Thursday’s 7-0 loss in Anaheim ended for deGrom after 53 pitches and 2 innings. He gave up 6 hits and 2 earned runs, with 1 walk and 3 strikeouts.
deGrom needed 32 pitches to finish the second, when the Angels collected 5 of their 6 hits against him. He said after the game that his triceps tightened during the inning and never loosened back up. Schumaker did not send him back out for the third.
Schumaker met with reporters after the game at Angel Stadium.
“I wasn’t going to risk it once I heard [it was] the triceps,” Schumaker said. “Obviously, you don’t want to hear anything arm-related. You pull a guy out in the second inning, it’s concerning. But we’ll figure it out when he gets some imaging. We won’t know until they get in there.”
deGrom underwent imaging Friday, with no new findings. Schumaker said Saturday that the 38-year-old felt better after meeting with the Rangers’ medical staff.
Schumaker spoke Saturday at Sutter Health Park.
“I guess it’s possible,” Schumaker explained. “I don’t know how realistic it is, but I think it’s always possible. We haven’t ruled it out completely.”
Jacob deGrom Is Two Strikeouts Shy Of 2,000
The 3 strikeouts Thursday moved deGrom to 1,998 for his career. He entered the game needing 5 to reach 2,000.
Through 23 starts this season, deGrom is 8-8 with a 3.95 ERA over 120 2/3 innings. He has 31 walks and 147 strikeouts.
Thursday was the first time this season a deGrom start ended before the fourth inning. He had worked 3 1/3 innings Aug. 1 at Houston.
deGrom had another physical issue around the All-Star break, when hip and glute soreness caused Texas to skip what would have been his final start of the first half. The Rangers did not place him on the injured list.
He next pitched July 20 against the Chicago White Sox, working 4 2/3 innings.
deGrom returned to a full workload last season after Tommy John surgery, making 30 starts and throwing 172 2/3 innings. He went 12-8 with a 2.97 ERA and 185 strikeouts, and he made his fifth All-Star team. The surgery came in June 2023, the second of his career, and limited him to 9 starts across his first two seasons with Texas.
The right-hander signed a five-year, $185 million contract with Texas in December 2022. He is making $38 million this season. The guaranteed portion of the deal runs through 2027, with a mutual option for 2028.
Texas Rangers Have Other Rotation Injuries
Nathan Eovaldi went on the 15-day injured list Aug. 10, retroactive to Aug. 9, because of right posterior elbow inflammation. Schumaker said Saturday that Eovaldi had improved range of motion and less swelling. The Rangers have not announced when he will resume throwing.
Jack Leiter becomes eligible for activation from the 60-day injured list Tuesday. He underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle June 23.
Leiter pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings for Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday in his first game action since the surgery. Texas has been deciding whether he makes another rehab appearance or returns to the major league roster.
Jordan Montgomery and Cal Quantrill are the other candidates to take Wednesday’s start.
The Athletics beat Texas 5-2 on Sunday at Sutter Health Park, sending the Rangers home with two losses in the three-game series. Texas fell to 61-64.
The Rangers are off Monday and open a three-game series against Washington on Tuesday at Globe Life Field. First pitch Wednesday, when deGrom’s spot comes up, is 7:05 p.m. CT.
