Inside The Rangers

Jacob deGrom Could Start Rehab Assignment Next Week, Where Will Texas Rangers Ace Be Pitching?

Texas Rangers right-hander Jacob deGrom is on schedule to start his rehab assignment next week. The two-time Cy Young winner threw live batting practice to hitters on Monday.

Stefan Stevenson

May 22, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) looks on before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
May 22, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) looks on before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports / Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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Jacob deGrom could be on a minor league rehab assignment as soon as next week.

Although it might be too late for the two-time Cy Young winner to lead the Texas Rangers back to the postseason, his return remains of great importance for the team's future.

deGrom threw to batters for the second time before Monday's series opener against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. deGrom threw about 40 pitches to Ezequiel Duran and Travis Jankowski, according to manager Bruce Bochy, who told reporters everything went well.

“I felt really good. The main thing is just now dialing in the off-speed stuff," deGrom told MLB.com. "My changeup was good, but my slider was a little bit inconsistent. It's going to be about trying not to do too much when a batter steps in. But everything felt good, the location, honestly everything. My first inning, I thought, was really good. Then the second one, I wasn't locating at all, so that's the next step. Just lock everything in and go from there.”

Jankowski wasn't as stingy with his review of deGrom's stuff.

"Nasty. I think he looked like a two-time Cy Young Award winner, one-time ERA leader," Jankowski told MLB.com. "That's why he is where he is, right? Not easy to pick up, ball gets on you really quick, and he's really, really good."

deGrom will face hitters in another live batting practice session on Friday in Arlington when the club is hosting the Minnesota Twins beginning Thursday night at Globe Life Field. The club will then decide where deGrom starts his rehab.

Triple-A Round Rock is on the road at Salt Lake from Aug. 20-25. Double-A Frisco, however, hosts San Antonio from Aug. 20-25. deGrom is likely to make his first rehab start of a couple of innings in Frisco, perhaps on Aug. 22, and make a second rehab start on Aug. 27 or 28 when the Express host Oklahoma City in Round Rock.

deGrom is likely to need four or five rehab starts with increasing pitch counts before being an option for the Rangers roster. If he stays on schedule, that's likely to be in early September.

Tyler Mahle, who had Tommy John surgery two weeks before deGrom in 2023, has been outstanding in his first two starts since returning to the Rangers. He's 0-1 with a 2.79 ERA and nine strikeouts in 9 2/3 innings.

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Stefan Stevenson
STEFAN STEVENSON

Stefan Stevenson worked as a journalist and editor at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram for 25 years, covering sports, concerts, and general news. His beats have included the Dallas Cowboys, the Texas Rangers, and Texas Christian University football.

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