The Sunday Read: Trading for a starter could fill Rangers’ rotation needs for 2023 and 2024

(AP photo/Reed Hoffmann)

Each week that passes seems to be a big week for the Texas Rangers, though the past week will be remembered for a while.

The Rangers learned Tuesday that Jacob deGrom’s ulnar-collateral ligament couldn’t take it anymore. He’s expected to have Tommy John surgery this week, and the hope is he returns late next season to help the Rangers get to the postseason.

Hope is good thing, but it isn’t going to get the Rangers to the playoffs either of the next two seasons.

The starting rotation will be a key factor in determining if the Rangers can end a six-season postseason absence. It looks as if it could get the Rangers to the playoffs as currently constructed.

Of course, the rotation would be better with a healthy deGrom in it, but the Rangers have excelled since he hit the injured list April 29. Why wouldn’t it keep going?

Well … .