Texas Rangers Expect Jacob deGrom to Return 'Better and Stronger'

The news that Jacob deGrom's 2023 season is over was hard on Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy.

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

ARLINGTON, Texas — Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy sat with Jacob deGrom for several minutes after the pitcher learned that he would miss the remainder of the 2023 season with a torn UCL ligament in his right arm that would require surgery.

Bochy didn’t speak to the media until after deGrom did Tuesday. He was not surprised to learn that deGrom was emotional about the news.

“I know how bad he wanted to come back and pitch and help the team,” Bochy said before the Rangers beat the St. Louis Cardinals 6-4 at Globe Life Field.

The emotion that deGrom showed with the media was similar to the emotion he showed with Bochy. This isn’t the first time that Bochy has had to help deliver bad news to a player in his long managerial career.

They talked about the future, Bochy said, and being present for his team at a time in which the Rangers are among the best teams in baseball.

“That’s the tough part of this game — you have to deal with injuries sometimes, and that’s what he’s going to have to handle along with this club,” Bochy said.

deGrom will have surgery next week for his torn UCL. Rangers general manager Chris Young said the tear was revealed on an MRI on Monday night.

Young said the Rangers’ team surgeon, Dr. Keith Meister, would determine which surgery to perform during the procedure next week. Most know it as Tommy John surgery, but there are several different types, Young pointed out.

So, now deGrom is a spectator after signing a five-year, $185 million deal this offseason. It’s not just for the 2023 season. deGrom is likely to miss most of 2024 while rehabbing. The process of full recovery from the surgery can be anywhere from 12-18 months.

Both Young and deGrom said the goal is for the right-hander to pitch sometime in 2024. deGrom hopes it will happen with the Rangers in playoff contention, which is where Texas appears pointed this season.

He had hoped to contribute to that in some way. And as deGrom spoke Tuesday, it clearly ate at him.

“I went through this before and I know what it takes to get back,” deGrom said. “So I’ll rehab as best I can and be around to help in any way I can. We have a special group here.”

deGrom was referencing the Tommy John surgery he had in 2011 while in the New York Mets minor-league system.

Bochy believes the best is still yet to come for deGrom, even though the Rangers will have to wait more than a year to see it again. deGrom went 2-0 with a 2.67 ERA and struck out 45 batters and walked four in 30 1/3 innings.

“He’s going to be better and stronger when this surgery and rehab are all over,” Bochy said.

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