Texas Rangers ace and two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom is making progress in his recovery from Tommy John surgery.
According to ESPN, deGrom threw from 90 feet for the first time during his rehabilitation on April 8.
He completed 25 throws from that distance. The Rangers’ current goal is to retain deGrom at that volume and distance this week, then push him to 50 throws next week and 75 throws from 90 feet the week after that.
deGrom is upbeat after a successful day of throwing.
“When you start throwing, you can kind of see the light at the end of the tunnel. And then each time you complete a distance, you’re moving back, getting closer to the mound,” deGrom told ESPN. “So each step right now is significant. Definitely pleased with how it felt today.”
deGrom Eyeing an August Return
According to a February 14 MLB.com article, deGrom’s comeback to the mound is currently scheduled for August.
“I think Jacob is more like August, hopefully.” Chris Young, the Rangers general manager, told MLB.com’s Kennedi Landry.
“But that said, there’s no hard timetables” for deGrom’s comeback, Young continued.
Young certainly wants to see his $185 million guy return to action as soon as possible. However, given that the Rangers won the 2023 World Series with deGrom out, there is no reason to expedite his recovery process.
Without deGrom, the Rangers might have missed the playoffs last season.
Prior to his injury, deGrom started six games for Texas in 2023, going 2-0 with a 2.67 ERA and 45 strikeouts.
The Rangers won all six of deGrom’s starts. Given that they just earned a Wild Card position by two games, deGrom’s outstanding (although brief) performance made a significant difference.
deGrom isn’t the only Rangers star pitcher who is eyeing a return in the near future.
Max Scherzer: “Back out there sooner than later.”
Max Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young winner and likely MLB Hall of Famer, also hopes to return to the Rangers’ rotation this season.
In December, Scherzer underwent surgery to repair a herniated disc caused by back spasms he experienced during Game 3 of the World Series.
The timing for Scherzer’s return is not as obvious as deGrom’s. However, based on what Scherzer told ESPN on March 28, it appears like he may return around the same time as Texas’ other ace.
“It’s kind of early February for me right now,” Scherzer remarked. “Just have to come in and continue to do the rehab, do the process, and hopefully I’m back out there sooner than later.”
Like deGrom, the Rangers will not rush 39-year-old Scherzer back into action.
Despite the absences of deGrom and Scherzer, as well as the departure of World Series hero Jordan Montgomery to the Arizona Diamondbacks this winter, the Rangers pitching staff has remained steady.
Texas’ 3.40 team ERA is now the seventh best in the MLB. They also rank fifth in the league in opponent batting average (.210).
