SEATTLE — Texas Rangers right-hander Jacob deGrom struck out 4 in 3⅔ scoreless innings Friday evening in his return from Tommy John surgical procedure.
“I informed [a teammate] I am like a child deer out right here: ‘I do not know what I am doing,'” deGrom stated after a 5-4 loss to the Seattle Mariners. “I nearly fell over. I had fairly a little bit of nerves, so getting again on the market was huge. My legs had been shaking a bit bit.”
DeGrom, 36, gave up two hits within the fourth and was eliminated after he retired Jorge Polanco on a fly ball to middle. Walter Pennington then got here in and bought J.P. Crawford to bounce to second, leaving runners on the corners.
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DeGrom threw 61 pitches, 41 for strikes, in his first main league look since April 28, 2023. The 2-time NL Cy Younger Award winner gave up 4 hits and walked none.
He graded his efficiency as a “C.”
“It is huge to get out and pitch in a significant league sport, so you do not really feel such as you’re in rehab mode for 2 straight years,” deGrom stated. “And now let’s simply attempt to get issues again the place they had been executing pitches such as you usually do and prepare to play subsequent yr.”
DeGrom agreed to a $185 million, five-year contract with Texas in December 2022 after starting his huge league profession with the New York Mets. He made six begins for the Rangers final yr earlier than he was harm.
He had surgical procedure to exchange the ligament in his elbow in June 2023. He additionally had the identical process in 2010 whereas within the minor leagues.
DeGrom gave up Victor Robles’ leadoff infield single within the first however bought out of the inning with the assistance of two strikeouts. After hitting Luke Raley to guide off the second, he induced three simple popouts to the sting of the infield. Within the third, he deflected a Robles liner again to the mound along with his glove, after which made the throw for the out.
Supervisor Bruce Bochy stated he noticed nothing that involved him in regards to the efficiency. He spotlighted the speed on deGrom’s fastball and appreciated that he “used all his pitches,” together with the slider and changeup.
“That is what you wish to see, simply anyone that is wholesome on the market,” he stated.
DeGrom made 4 rehab begins for Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Spherical Rock, giving up one earned run over 10⅔ innings for a 0.84 ERA. He struck out 15 batters and walked one.
Bochy stated he’ll set up a six-man rotation the remainder of the season to make room for deGrom and Max Scherzer, who makes his return Saturday.
“The purpose for the following two is to essentially dial issues in,” deGrom stated. “After which you may deal with it like a standard offseason.”
The Related Press contributed to this report.
