Rangers ace Jacob deGrom will make a start this Saturday but whether it’s a rehab start, or his season debut depends on who you ask. deGrom has been working his way back from a right ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction that he had last June. He had been scheduled for one more rehab start with Double-A Frisco, but according to deGrom, he could start for the Rangers on Saturday instead.
“I’ve felt really good,” deGrom said after making his third rehab start, returning to Triple-A Round Rock, on Sunday. It was an uneventful outing for the 36-year-old right-hander, allowing one hit and one walk but striking out five over 2 ⅔ scoreless innings. The plan was for him to throw about 45 pitches or three innings in his third outing. deGrom has been excellent since beginning his rehab assignment on August 22nd with Double-A Frisco. Coming off of his second UCL surgery, deGrom has allowed one run on just three hits and one walk while striking out 10 over 6 ⅔ innings.
Rangers Ace Jacob deGrom Could Make Season Debut On Saturday
“I’ve seen glimpses [of my old self],” deGrom said on Monday. He told the media that his next start will “be either Frisco or here [Globe Life Field].” Rangers’ manager Bruce Bochy and the two-time Cy Young winner did not appear to be on the same page.
“Well, that’s always an option,” Bochy said when asked if deGrom could pitch for the Rangers on Saturday. “But I don’t think that’s what we’re going to do. If something happened, and we were in a position where we thought we needed to do it and it was fine with Jacob, yeah, we would do it. But for now, the plan is still for him to start down there [in Frisco].”
Regardless, the right-hander’s return is closer than ever. He expects to pitch four innings on Saturday if it is with Frisco or three if it is with the Rangers. If deGrom starts for the RoughRiders on Saturday, he will likely rejoin the Rangers on the following road trip.
“We’re going to weigh all these options,” deGrom said. “I’ve been fortunate enough to feel good throughout this whole process, so I think at this point now, it’s just to make sure we don’t do anything that’s not smart. Just like what is the best path, or smartest path forward.”
Main Photo Credits: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
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