It was in 2019 that ace Jacob deGrom last pitched a full season of more than 200 innings.
In the seasons that followed, deGrom totaled 265 1/3 innings, accumulating nine starts over the past two seasons after suffering a torn UCL that required his second Tommy John surgery in 2023. The Texas Rangers pitcher will make his first start of spring training Friday, giving him his first chance to quiet doubters such as the Red Sox broadcast team.
“A lot of talent on that team (Rangers), everybody just sort of underperformed,” Red Sox announcer Lou Merloni, a former MLB player, said during Boston’s win against the Mets on Sunday.
“The problem is you get them on that opening series while deGrom is healthy. You want to play them in August when he’s on the IL (injured list).”
Replied broadcaster Tom Caron, “The inevitable trip.”
The Red Sox open their season in Texas against the Rangers on March 27, but deGrom will not pitch in that series because he’s operating as the fifth starter for rest reasons, manager Bruce Bochy told The New York Post. deGrom will likely make his regular-season debut against the Reds in Cincinnati on March 31.
deGrom, 36, came up with the Mets in 2014 and quickly established himself as one of the game’s dominant pitching forces. He won rookie of the year and two Cy Youngs (2018 and 2019) before injuries decimated a career that was shaping up to be Hall of Fame-worthy.
Yet deGrom signed a five-year, $185 million contract with the Rangers entering the 2023 season on the heels of his potential … when he’s on the mound. He has thrown 41 innings in two seasons with the Rangers.
“He’s throwing lightning bolts with 80 command (80 is the top of the 20-80 scouting scale),” catcher Kyle Higashioka told the Post. “I’m talking every bullpen. If he misses by six inches, he gets mad at himself because he holds himself to such a high standard and his results reflect that.”
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