Texas Rangers starter Jacob deGrom is likely one of the most dominant pitchers within the majors when wholesome.
Boasting a devastating five-pitch arsenal, deGrom has racked up 1,666 profession strikeouts and 84 wins via 11 seasons within the majors.
Sadly, a clear invoice of well being has been exhausting to come back by for the two-time Cy Younger Award winner.
deGrom underwent his second Tommy John surgical procedure in June 2023. That season, he watched from the dugout because the Rangers received the primary World Sequence in franchise historical past. He remained sidelined throughout their unsuccessful title protection in 2024 earlier than tossing a handful of innings late within the season.
Now wholesome, deGrom is primed to guide the Rangers pitching workers this season.
“I am positively excited,” deGrom mentioned at Rangers Fan Fest in January, by way of Abby Jones. “So this was the sunshine on the finish of the tunnel I used to be seeing, and final 12 months was shifting towards that. That is positively like Christmas morning. A sense of like, ‘Hey, let’s go see what we are able to do.’ I really feel actually good.”
deGrom signed a five-year, $185 million pact with the Rangers forward of the 2023 season. Since then, he has been restricted to simply 9 begins, although he has posted a 2.41 ERA in these 41 innings.
This season, the Rangers are hopeful to have their ace on the mound extra usually.
In January, Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Younger talked about the game-changing potential that deGrom brings to the desk. Regardless of his harm historical past, Younger is hopeful that followers will get an prolonged take a look at deGrom in a Rangers uniform this season.
“One of many issues I am most enthusiastic about is a wholesome season from Jacob, and for our followers to see what that appears like and the way good he’s,” Younger mentioned at Rangers Fan Fest, by way of ESPN. “He’s simply electrical. Coming to the ballpark daily, understanding that he is pitching, understanding that we have got an amazing likelihood to win the sport, it is an thrilling feeling. And our followers actually have not skilled that over the course of a season, and we’re excited and hopeful that that is the 12 months they get to see that.”
Fortuitously, deGrom is on tempo to be prepared for Opening Day. In contrast to the earlier two years, wherein he was rehabbing from Tommy John surgical procedure, the 36-year-old starter has been in a position to practice usually this offseason.
