Rangers Ace Jacob deGrom Set to Throw Again

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said that the Rangers' $185 million pitcher is fine and making progress.

Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom will throw another session from the mound either Friday or Saturday, which would mark the pitcher’s fourth such session this spring.

deGrom threw his last one on Wednesday, with video showing appearing to show what looked like a bullpen session. Rangers game notes for Thursday’s contest with Milwaukee noted that deGrom’s session was a batting practice.

Whether it was a bullpen or a batting practice, deGrom is making progress and Rangers manager Bruce Bochy continues to be happy with where things are going.

“He’s doing fine,” Bochy said. “He’s making the normal progress that we thought he would be making at this point.”

The only reason Bochy wasn’t able to pin down deGrom’s next bullpen date was that he didn’t have his notes in front of him.

“I’ve got a few guys that I’m keeping up with right now, but he’s doing fine,” Bochy said.

The plan is for deGrom to be ready for the start of the regular season. But Bochy did not indicate when deGrom might make an appearance in a spring game.

Rangers pitchers have thrown at least two bullpen sessions and one live batting practice before taking part in a Spring Training game. By that timeline, deGrom has done the minimum to be ready. But given the Rangers’ significant investment in him, they’re being cautious.

deGrom reported to Surprise on Feb. 14 and told the Rangers that he was experiencing left side tightness. From there the Rangers decided to let deGrom rest for a few days.

After taking some rest, deGrom began long tossing sessions on Monday, designed to ramp him up to a bullpen sessions. He’s maintained throughout the process that if this was the regular season he would be pitching. He also said the rest quickly resolved the left side tightness.

He has thrown two bullpen sessions. deGrom threw his first bullpen session last week in Surprise, the day before the first spring game . The second bullpen session was on Sunday. deGrom threw nearly 30 pitches and mixed in some breaking balls along with his fastball.

The Rangers signed deGrom to a five-year, $185 million deal in the offseason, the largest contract they’ve ever awarded a pitcher. At 35, he’s one of six projected starters that is over the age of 30.

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