Texas Rangers Deciding Next Jacob deGrom Steps After Road Trip

Jacob deGrom has thrown four bullpen sessions since he went on the injured list at the end of April.

Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said ace Jacob deGrom will throw another bullpen session Wednesday in Detroit and before evaluating the next steps after the club returns to Arlington. 

The Rangers wrap up their nine-game road trip with a 12:10 p.m. Wednesday game at the Detroit Tigers. Texas then returns for a six-game homestand that starts Friday against Seattle Mariners.

Last week Bochy told CBS Sports Radio’s Jim Rome that it could be “two or three weeks” before deGrom returns to the lineup.

This comment came before deGrom threw his last bullpen Friday in Baltimore, the fourth since his injury. During that session he threw his full repertoire of pitches, totaling 31 throws.

While in Baltimore, Bochy said that the next step for deGrom would be to throw to live hitters. That would likely be a live batting practice situation. That could be more easily facilitated at Globe Life Field than on the road.

After that, deGrom could go on a rehab assignment before being activated. Bochy did acknowledge the possibility of deGrom foregoing a stint in the minors to be an “opener” and build up his pitch count in MLB games.

The right-hander last started on April 29 against the New York Yankees, leaving after four innings. A subsequent MRI exam revealed right elbow inflammation.

The American League West-leading Rangers don’t have any reason to rush deGrom back. He’s already had a few minor injury scares since joining the club, including getting shut down early in Spring Training and leaving two starts early.

The Dallas Morning News reported the deGrom update.

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