Jacob deGrom Throws Second Rangers Bullpen Session
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Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom threw his second bullpen session of the spring on Sunday, the next step in getting him ready for a start in a live Spring Training game.
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy announced on Sunday morning that the high-priced ace was on schedule.
“He’s still on pace. No change with him,” Bochy said. “As far as our original schedule, as far as being ready for the season, yes.”
Bochy pointed out that deGrom threw five or six bullpens before he arrived in Surprise.
deGrom threw his first bullpen session on Thursday in Surprise, the day before the Rangers’ first spring game. He threw a little more than 20 pitches and said after the session that everything felt good. He threw only fastballs. He described the session as “free and easy.”
Sunday’s session drew a crowd, just like Thursday.
The Rangers want deGrom to throw at least one live batting practice before determining when he might start in a spring game. Each of the starters have thrown at least two bullpen sessions and one live batting practice before appearing in a spring game.
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.
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.
Last year he went 5-4 with a 3.08 ERA in 11 starts with the New York Mets. In 2021 he went 7-2 with a 1.08 ERA, earned an All-Star Game berth and was ninth in Cy Young voting despite the injury.
Before that, deGrom was highly durable. He made 30 or more starts in four of his first six seasons in the Majors, with his 2018 and 2019 seasons both leading to National League Cy Young awards. In 2018 he led the Majors with a 1.70 ERA, followed by a 2.43 ERA in 2019.
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