Jacob deGrom throws at Rangers camp, should be on mound ‘really soon’
February 19, 2023
(Texas Rangers/Ben Ludeman)
SURPRISE, Ariz. — Jacob deGrom wasn’t on the field very long Sunday morning, but he left it feeling just fine.
The right-hander played catch to 90 feet alongside his new Rangers teammates for what amounted to his first on-field baseball activities of spring training. He reported having no issues with the self-diagnosed “very minor” discomfort in his left side, and the Rangers held him out of pitchers fielding practice.
The Rangers haven’t said what the next step is for deGrom, who was scratched Wednesday from a bullpen session even though he was planning to throw. He could play catch again Monday, but the expectation is he will be throwing off a mound this week.
Our first Cy Young award and World Series title may come this year with our savior! I love Texas stocking up on high K/BB guys since banning shifts and new baserunning rules will penalize pitch to contact guys like Perez and will help guys like deGrom, Eovaldi, and Heaney. Low WHIPs and high K rates will help. deGrom has had 2 consecutive seasons above a 12 K/BB ratio, and the other two have combined for 5 (I think) in the last few seasons. The only guy with a higher career K/BB ratio than deGrom at 5.3? The reliever turned starter Chris Sale, at 5.35
I’m so excited for this and hope to get time off each day deGrom pitches if it’s an afternoon game. Screw overtime; I want to watch the second best pitcher of the expansion era in terms of ERA (behind future Ranger Kershaw, 2.52 to 2.48). This may be the best player Texas has signed or acquired since A Rod, expect they actually have a balanced team this time.