Jacob deGrom Starts Rehab for Return to Baseball

FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Texas Rangers ace Jacob deGrom has made significant progress in his recovery, pitching in a minor league game for the first time since April 28, 2023. During a rehab assignment at Double-A Frisco, deGrom threw 29 pitches over two innings, marking a crucial step in his return to the mound despite the Rangers' dwindling playoff hopes. The right-hander, who underwent his second major elbow surgery, expressed the importance of getting back on the field to normalize his offseason training. DeGrom's return comes after a challenging period, having made only six starts before his injury. He reflected on the lengthy rehabilitation process, stating, “If I don’t get out there, it’s going to feel like I’ve been rehabbing all that time through, whatever that is, almost a year and a half.” While he anticipates limited appearances this season, he remains focused on taking it one step at a time, without a clear timeline for additional rehab assignments. Previously, deGrom spent nine seasons with the New York Mets, where he faced multiple injury setbacks, including a forearm issue and a stress reaction in his scapula. His last game was against the Yankees, where he exited early due to injury concerns. Meanwhile, fellow Rangers pitcher Max Scherzer was scheduled for a rehab start but was scratched due to ongoing shoulder fatigue, leaving uncertainty about his return as well.