The Los Angeles Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate in Oklahoma City has had one of the more difficult seasons when it comes to opposing pitchers. They’re set to face a third former Cy Young Award winner on Tuesday in Round Rock, Texas.
Jacob deGrom will make his second minor league rehab start at Dell Diamond, Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Sunday at Progressive Field in Cleveland.
“He feels great,” Bochy said. “All set to go Tuesday.”
On Wednesday night, the 36-year-old made his first competitive appearance since undergoing season-ending elbow surgery last season. Pitching for Double-A Frisco, deGrom allowed one run on two hits over two innings against San Antonio, striking out three batters and hitting 99 mph with his first pitch of the game.
“It felt really good,” deGrom said Wednesday. “I know it’s still a work in progress. Location is still not there. I might have been a little amped up early on and left a couple in the middle, and they hit those. But the slider was good, the changeup was good.”
Bochy was beyond impressed with his pitcher’s first rehab start.
“He was amazing, right?” Bochy said. “With little effort, too. That’s what’s incredible, how well he’s throwing the ball, and command and everything. I know he had to be excited, as long as he’s been waiting to get back on the mound and compete.
“I don’t care if he’s in a Minor League game, I can tell you, the juices were going and adrenaline was going. It was a really, really good outing.”
DeGrom signed with the Rangers a free agent in Dec. 2022 after spending parts of nine season with the New York Mets and hit the injured list for the first time with Texas on April 29, 2023.
DeGrom was one of baseball’s most dominant pitchers during his nine seasons with the Mets. However, his first season with the Rangers was cut short by a torn ulnar collateral ligament early last year. Before the injury, he made six starts, posting a 2-0 record with a 2.67 earned run average and 45 strikeouts over 30.1 innings.
While deGrom was only 2-0, the Rangers won each of his six starts.
Getting him back healthy soon would be a significant boost for the defending World Series champions, whose postseason hopes are becoming increasingly uncertain.
“Obviously, I haven’t been able to contribute this year, so the goal is to get back out there and help the team,” deGrom said. “Hopefully, that’s not too far off.”
Photo Credit: Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman/ USA Today Network
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