The Texas Rangers received some encouraging news regarding Jacob deGrom after the veteran right-hander was forced to leave his latest start with right triceps fatigue. While initial evaluations did not reveal a major injury, the issue is still expected to affect his pitching schedule, with the Rangers increasingly likely to give their ace additional time before his next appearance.
DeGrom exited Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels after just two innings because of discomfort and fatigue in his right triceps. Given his extensive injury history, the Rangers immediately took a cautious approach and sent him for further imaging the following day.
The results provided some relief for both deGrom and the organization. The veteran reported feeling considerably better by Saturday, and the medical evaluation did not produce the kind of alarming findings that could have resulted in another extended absence.
However, feeling better does not necessarily mean deGrom will be ready to pitch on his normal schedule.
Texas manager Skip Schumaker acknowledged that the Rangers have not completely ruled out deGrom making his scheduled start Wednesday against the Washington Nationals, but he suggested that the possibility is not particularly realistic at this point.
Schumaker emphasized that the club will continue evaluating how deGrom responds as he resumes his normal throwing routine. The Rangers are not interested in taking unnecessary chances with one of the most important players on their roster, especially considering the veteran’s lengthy history of elbow injuries.
DeGrom’s Recent Health Has Been Encouraging
The latest issue is understandably concerning because deGrom has spent significant portions of his career dealing with injuries.
After undergoing Tommy John surgery and missing nearly all of the 2023 and 2024 seasons, deGrom returned to become a major part of the Rangers’ pitching plans. Remarkably, he had avoided another injured-list stint since returning to the mound, making his recent durability one of the biggest positives for Texas.
In 2025, deGrom demonstrated that he was still capable of performing at an elite level. He made 30 starts, posted a 2.97 ERA and earned an All-Star selection.
He has also remained an important part of the Rangers’ rotation this season, making 23 starts while recording a 3.95 ERA.
That makes the triceps issue something the Rangers will want to handle carefully rather than risk turning a relatively minor problem into a much more serious one.
Rangers Already Dealing With Rotation Problems
The uncertainty surrounding deGrom comes at an especially difficult time for Texas.
The Rangers have already lost another important starter, Nathan Eovaldi, who recently landed on the injured list because of right posterior elbow inflammation.
With Eovaldi unavailable and deGrom’s next start now in doubt, Texas suddenly has fewer reliable options in its rotation.
That has put additional attention on Jack Leiter, who is currently working his way back from an injury and could potentially provide the Rangers with another option if they decide to accelerate his return.
Leiter recently made a rehabilitation appearance for Triple-A Round Rock, throwing 2 2/3 scoreless innings and striking out three. His outing gave the Rangers another encouraging development, particularly because he came through the appearance without experiencing problems with either his arm or ankle.
Jack Leiter Could Return Sooner Than Expected
Leiter underwent arthroscopic surgery to address a right ankle posterior impingement and was placed on the 60-day injured list.
The Rangers initially expected him to make another rehabilitation start before returning to the major league rotation. However, the circumstances surrounding the pitching staff could force Texas to reconsider that timeline.
His most recent rehab appearance was limited to 48 pitches, meaning he still has work to do before he is fully built up as a starting pitcher.
Nevertheless, his performance gave the Rangers confidence that he is physically progressing.
Schumaker noted that Leiter’s fastball showed good life, particularly at the top of the strike zone, while his slider and changeup were also effective. Most importantly, Leiter finished the outing feeling healthy.
That could make him a potential solution if deGrom needs to miss a start.
Rangers Have Other Options
If the club decides not to rush Leiter back, Texas can turn to veteran pitchers such as Cal Quantrill and Jordan Montgomery to help cover openings in the rotation.
The Rangers therefore have some alternatives, but none carry the same importance as getting deGrom healthy.
The veteran remains one of the club’s most valuable pitchers, and his presence at the top of the rotation is particularly important for a team attempting to remain competitive during the final stretch of the season.
The Rangers will likely prioritize long-term health over keeping him on a strict five-day schedule.
DeGrom’s Next Few Days Will Be Important
The next stage of deGrom’s recovery will center on how he responds when he resumes throwing.
He had not yet started playing catch when the Rangers provided their latest update, although he was feeling significantly better. That was viewed as a positive development, but the team still needs to see how the triceps responds to actual pitching activity.
If he is able to throw without discomfort and quickly regain his normal workload, the Rangers could potentially reconsider their plans.
If there is any lingering fatigue or discomfort, however, pushing his next start back would be the obvious choice.
Given deGrom’s injury history, Texas has little incentive to gamble.
A Cautious Approach Makes Sense
The Rangers have already seen what happens when their pitching depth is tested. With Eovaldi on the injured list and Leiter still working toward a return, losing deGrom for an extended period would create an enormous challenge.
That is why the club is likely to be conservative with its ace.
DeGrom’s recent durability has been one of the more encouraging aspects of his return to the Rangers’ rotation, and the organization will want to preserve that progress rather than risk another significant setback.
For now, the news is more encouraging than alarming. DeGrom is feeling better, and the initial medical evaluation did not indicate a major injury. But the fact that he has yet to resume throwing and that his manager is doubtful about his ability to make his next start suggests the Rangers are preparing for the possibility of giving him additional rest.
The Rangers appear to have avoided a major scare with Jacob deGrom, but his next start remains in serious doubt. With the veteran ace dealing with triceps fatigue and Texas already facing injuries to Nathan Eovaldi and Jack Leiter, the club’s cautious approach could prove crucial to keeping its pitching staff intact for the stretch run.
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