Updated Status Of Texas Rangers Pitchers Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer, Tyler Mahle

Texas Rangers pitchers Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer and Tyler Mahle are all on track to return this summer, general manager Chris Young said.

SURPRISE, Ariz. — Jacob deGrom played catch for the second time on Wednesday as the Texas Rangers opened spring training camp.

deGrom, who had Tommy John surgery in June, threw for the first time on Monday. He'll continue the standard course of recovery with 25 more throws on Friday. He's throwing from 40 feet on flat ground and is still weeks away from pitching on a mound. deGrom said he feels great.

Pitchers and catchers were due to report by Wednesday morning. Position players are due by Monday.

"The training staff said he looked great," Rangers general manager Chris Young said. "And you know, and I think medically, everything has been on track and checking out. So we're very excited. It's a big step for him. And it's a long way to go. But picking up a baseball and playing cash for the first time is significant. And it's a major hurdle that we've cleared, and now many more to come. But we're on the right path here."

Young also updated the status of right-handers Max Scherzer and Tyler Mahle, who are also recovering from surgery.

Mahle, who signed a two-year, $22 million deal as a free agent in December, is also recovering from a 2023 Tommy John surgery. Mahle has been throwing for more than a month.

"So his progression is at a further distance with more intensity and volume," Young said. 

Scherzer is recovering from Dec. 15 surgery to repair a herniated disc. His arm is not a concern, Young said.

The club is tentatively hoping Scherzer is available by June, Mahle available by July, and deGrom is available by August, Young said.

#TexasRangers GM Chris Young believes this group can do it again... pic.twitter.com/aI7QD6rww4

— Stefan Stevenson (@StefanVersusTex) February 14, 2024

"That said, there's no hard timetables on any of those guys at this point," he said. "There are a lot of hurdles left to clear here." 

The Rangers hope to be in playoff contention deep into the summer, with the trio of veteran arms adding a reinforcing boost to the staff.  

"In the second half, we're looking to reinforce our depth by hopefully having Max, Tyler, and Jacob coming back, at which point we'll be in very good shape," Young said. "But we understand that there's a first half of the season that we were going to need to have some depth there too."

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