Jacob deGrom of the Texas Rangers is showing positive signs in his recovery journey, according to the latest updates from the team. The star pitcher has been sidelined for over a year following Tommy John surgery performed in June 2023. Throughout the 2024 season, deGrom has been steadily progressing, with the most recent reports indicating encouraging developments.
During a recent bullpen session, deGrom threw 35 pitches, including sliders alongside his fastballs, as reported by Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. Rangers manager Bruce Bochy commented that deGrom felt excellent and that the bullpen session was successful.
DeGrom joined the Rangers ahead of the 2023 season and started strongly with a 2.67 ERA across six starts before his injury required surgery. The team and fans alike are hopeful that his return to form will be akin to a midseason acquisition, potentially influencing the Rangers’ approach leading up to the MLB trade deadline.
As deGrom navigates his recovery, expectations for his performance upon return remain uncertain yet optimistic. At 36 years old, he faces the challenges of age-related decline, a concern common among pitchers in their mid-30s. However, recent MLB history has shown pitchers like Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer thriving into their late 30s, suggesting deGrom could similarly excel if healthy.
Initially, deGrom might encounter difficulties readjusting to MLB gameplay after such a prolonged absence. However, his track record as one of baseball’s premier pitchers when healthy provides confidence that he can significantly bolster the Rangers’ starting rotation once he regains his rhythm.
The timeline for deGrom’s return remains fluid, contingent on his continued progress and readiness to compete at the highest level. For now, the Rangers and their fans are cautiously optimistic as they anticipate the potential impact of deGrom’s comeback on the team’s fortunes for the remainder of the season.
