Jacob deGrom, the two-time Cy Young Award winner, started for the Texas Rangers on Monday night against the Seattle Mariners, but his outing was limited to just five innings and 78 pitches due to discomfort in his right knee. Despite the injury, deGrom helped the Rangers secure a 2-1 victory.
DeGrom’s Performance and Injury Update
DeGrom gave up only one hit—a first-inning home run to Cal Raleigh, the 2025 homer champion, after a 12-pitch at-bat. The veteran pitcher also walked one batter and struck out six. After the game, deGrom said, “I feel OK. It’s a little tender, but I think we’ll be OK.”
The injury to his knee affected his pitch count, but Rangers manager Skip Schumaker emphasized that the team didn’t want to push deGrom too hard, especially with his history of injuries.
DeGrom’s 250th Career Start
This start marked deGrom’s 250th career appearance, making him the 18th active pitcher to reach that milestone. Despite the knee issue, deGrom showed his resilience, building on a solid performance from last season, when he was named the American League Comeback Player of the Year after posting a 12-8 record and a 2.97 ERA.
Previous Start and Injury History
This start was deGrom’s second of the season. His first outing was on March 28 at Philadelphia, but he was scratched from that start due to neck stiffness. Last week, deGrom pitched 4⅔ innings in an 8-5 win over the Baltimore Orioles, throwing 78 pitches.
DeGrom’s resilience continues to shine after his recovery from two major elbow surgeries, with this season marking another step in his comeback from a challenging injury history.
Reflecting on the Opportunity
Despite the injury concerns, deGrom remained positive, stating, “Obviously any day you’re able to put this uniform on you’ve got to be thankful for that.” His ability to push through discomfort and still deliver a strong performance is a testament to his determination and skill.
