Texas Rangers ace Jacob deGrom is hopeful that the arm problem that forced him out of Thursday night’s start will not result in a lengthy absence.
deGrom left the Rangers’ matchup with the Los Angeles Angels after only two innings because of what the team described as right triceps fatigue. Texas ultimately suffered a difficult 7-0 defeat at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, but the bigger concern coming out of the game was the condition of one of the club’s most important pitchers.
The Rangers are expected to learn more about deGrom’s condition after further evaluation of his pitching arm. Manager Skip Schumaker indicated after the game that the veteran could undergo a scan to determine whether there is anything more serious behind the discomfort.
The issue appeared during the second inning. After delivering a pitch to Adam Frazier, deGrom turned toward the mound and showed visible frustration. The inning had already become a difficult one for the veteran right-hander, who was struggling to find his usual rhythm.
Despite feeling tightness in his arm, deGrom did not immediately leave the contest. He continued pitching and completed the inning, facing three additional batters after the initial sign of discomfort. However, the Rangers were clearly unwilling to take unnecessary chances with their veteran starter.
DeGrom later explained that the tightness felt unusual to him. He said he hoped to make his next scheduled start and did not appear overly concerned immediately following the game. According to his comments, the problem developed during the second inning and did not ease as he continued throwing.
That response should provide at least some encouragement to the Rangers, although the club will understandably wait for medical results before making a decision about his next start.
Schumaker also explained that the decision to remove deGrom was primarily precautionary. Once the team’s training staff informed him that the pitcher was experiencing triceps discomfort, the manager decided that there was no reason to expose deGrom to additional risk.
The situation was particularly notable because deGrom has rarely been removed this early in his career. Thursday’s outing was only the third time he has started a major league game and pitched two innings or fewer.
The 38-year-old finished the night allowing two runs on six hits. He also issued one walk and recorded three strikeouts. His performance brought his career strikeout total to 1,998, leaving him just two strikeouts away from reaching the 2,000 mark.
That milestone is now within touching distance for the five-time All-Star. Once he reaches it, deGrom will become the 94th pitcher in major league history to record at least 2,000 career strikeouts, according to Baseball-Reference.
Unfortunately for deGrom, the outing itself was not one of his better performances. He needed 53 pitches to get through his two innings, with 35 of those pitches landing for strikes. The Angels managed to put significant pressure on him, collecting six hits and scoring twice before his night came to an early end.
The loss also affected deGrom’s individual record. He fell to 8-8 for the season, while his earned-run average increased to 3.95.
Still, those numbers were secondary to the concern surrounding his arm. For the Rangers, the most important development is whether the triceps fatigue is simply a temporary issue or something that could require deGrom to spend additional time away from the mound.
At this point, deGrom himself remains optimistic. His hope is that the discomfort will settle down quickly enough for him to remain on schedule and take his next turn in the Rangers’ rotation.
That optimism, however, does not eliminate the need for caution. Given deGrom’s importance to the Rangers and his extensive history as a high-level pitcher, the club has every reason to be conservative when dealing with any arm-related concern.
The Rangers will therefore have to wait for the results of his evaluation before determining their next move. If the scans show no significant damage and the tightness disappears, deGrom could potentially avoid a lengthy absence. If additional problems are discovered, however, Texas may have to adjust its rotation and manage his workload carefully.
For now, the immediate takeaway is that deGrom does not believe the problem is particularly serious. His comments after the game suggested that he is hopeful the issue will be short-lived and that he can return to the mound for his next scheduled appearance.
That would be welcome news for Texas, especially with deGrom approaching the historic 2,000-strikeout milestone. The veteran has been one of the most accomplished pitchers of his generation, and reaching that mark would add another significant achievement to an already impressive career.
The Rangers will nevertheless prioritize his health over the milestone. There is little value in pushing deGrom back onto the mound before he is fully comfortable, particularly when the problem involves his throwing arm.
For now, the organization and its supporters will wait for additional medical information. DeGrom’s optimism provides a positive early indication, but the results of his examination will ultimately determine how serious the situation is.
The Rangers will be hoping the discomfort is nothing more than temporary fatigue and that their ace can quickly return to the rotation. If everything checks out, deGrom could have an opportunity to reach 2,000 strikeouts in his next appearance and put Thursday’s frustrating outing behind him.
Until then, the focus remains firmly on his right triceps and whether the latest arm ailment will cost him any additional time.
