Vintage deGrom: Texas' ace tosses 2 perfect frames in spring debut

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Jacob deGrom is well aware that he hasn’t been available as much as he would like throughout the last few years of his career. His Rangers tenure consisted of just six starts in 2023 and three in 2024 with a Tommy John surgery between them.

Taking all that into account, he’s more than happy to be on the mound for the Rangers to start 2025.

“I was able to know what I needed to do to get back out there,” deGrom said. “You try to look at the light at the end of the tunnel, the positive things. … In 2023, you come into a new team, you're the new guy and then, like I said, you feel like a disappointment. Now this is pretty much the same group that won the World Series. Luckily, I was there to root on and cheer for the guys. That's the goal, so let's do it again.”

deGrom made his 2025 Cactus League debut in Saturday’s 5-3 win against the Royals at Surprise Stadium after Friday’s game was rained out. The right-hander delivered two perfect innings, striking out a pair of big leaguers in Kyle Isbel and Bobby Witt Jr., as well as outfielder Tyler Gentry.

He threw 31 pitches, 21 for strikes. He threw 16 four-seamers, averaging 97 mph and topping out at 98 mph.

“I felt good,” deGrom said. “We took it a little slow this spring, but getting out there obviously is a big plus. I was able to locate it pretty well. … The slider was good. I threw a couple curveballs, the fastball was good. Everything felt good. The main thing is health, and I’m looking forward to getting back out there.”

Manager Bruce Bochy said earlier this week that the Rangers plan for deGrom to start the season at the back end of the rotation as they continue to bring him along slowly. deGrom started three straight Opening Days for the Mets from 2019-21 and again for the Rangers in ‘23.

“Once we discussed what the plan was, I was fine with that,” deGrom said. “The goal is to go out there as many times as I can and make as many starts to help this team win. So I'm sure there's going to be some sort of discussion at some point about innings, what we're willing to throw. I think the slow ramp is better than stopping and going again. That's why we decided to do that.”

With deGrom not starting on Opening Day, he will either make his first appearance of the season on March 30 against the Red Sox to close out the season-opening series, or against the Reds on March 31 to begin the Rangers' first road trip. The way Texas' schedule plays out, there is flexibility to give deGrom -- and every starter -- an extra day of rest because the team has an off-day in each of the first four weeks of April.

deGrom has not pitched a full Major League season since 2019, when he won his second NL Cy Young Award. But when he’s on the mound, he’s been perhaps the best pitcher of this generation. From 2018-21, the right-hander posted a 1.94 ERA with back-to-back Cy Youngs.

He’s only made nine starts across two seasons for the Rangers since signing a five-year, $185 million deal with the club entering 2023. The ace underwent his second Tommy John surgery in June 2023, just six starts into his Texas tenure. He then made three starts last September, recording a 1.69 ERA and striking out 14 in 10 2/3 innings in his return.

“The goal is to get out there as many times as I can,” deGrom said entering Spring Training. “I'm sure we'd have to be smart with it. We don't want to jump to 200-and-something innings, but I'd like to be able to go out there and make 30 [starts]. That's the goal. You sign here to pitch. I haven't been able to do that. So the goal is to go out there and make as many starts as I can to help contribute.”