It’s been a slow welcome since starting pitcher Jacob deGrom put on a Texas Rangers uniform.
After hitting a speed bump when he arrived at camp, however, he looks to be on the mend.
deGrom threw 35 pitches of live batting practice on Wednesday and throwing hard.
Jesús Cano of MLB.com reported that deGrom was throwing live batting practice. He threw 35 pitches averaging between 98-99 mph and topped out at 100 mph.
Additionally, he said he would be ready by Opening Day, but the team will reassess on Friday. An additional report on Wednesday from The Morning News’ Evan Grant says deGrom could make his spring training debut next Monday.
The two-time Cy Young Award winner has been riddled with injury across his nine-year career, and when he arrived at the Cactus League in mid-February, he felt some tightness in his left side during a bullpen session. Rangers general manager Chris Young said there weren’t any real concerns, however.
But deGrom has been limited since then. The good news is, it’s still only the first week of March which means there’s time left before the regular season. There’s never a need to rush a pitcher, and veteran guys know how to build themselves up and stretch out after an injury.
deGrom was signed by the Rangers this offseason to a five-year, $185,000,000 contract.
He spent his previous time with the New York Mets where he earned four All-Star selects and was a former National League Rookie of the Year.
Over those nine seasons, he’s boasted a career 2.52 ERA and led the NL in strikeouts twice over his career.
[MLB.com]
About Jessica Kleinschmidt
Jess is a baseball fan with Reno, Nev. roots residing in the Bay Area. She is the host of "Short and to the Point" and is also a broadcaster with the Oakland A's Radio Network. She previously worked for MLB.com and NBC Sports Bay Area.