Jacob DeGrom is expected to make his fourth rehab start on Saturday as he works his way back from elbow surgery. However, the two-time Cy Young Award winner mentioned that there is a possibility he could return to the Texas Rangers after more than 16 months away.
“I think it’s just seeing where we’re at with what we have here pitching, kind of how this week goes,” deGrom said Monday, the day after his latest rehab outing. “I think if I did throw here it wouldn’t be more than three (innings).
So depending on where the bullpen’s at, and then what we think … whether they want me to go four innings, that would be there in Frisco, or three possibly here.”
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy later confirmed that deGrom’s big league season debut is a possibility and has been discussed with the 36-year-old right-hander. But Bochy said the current plan is for deGrom to pitch for Double-A Frisco.
Frisco will be playing at home on Saturday night, which is about 35 miles from the Rangers’ main ballpark.
Texas also has another former Cy Young Award winner scheduled to pitch on Saturday.
Three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer is set to pitch for Triple-A Round Rock at Las Vegas and hopes to return to the Rangers after that.
The 40-year-old right-hander last pitched for Texas on July 30 before dealing with shoulder fatigue and a lingering nerve issue. Scherzer mentioned that a slight mechanical adjustment has resolved the issue.
Scherzer (2-4, 3.89 ERA), who leads active players in strikeouts, has made only eight starts since his season debut on June 23 following offseason back surgery. He threw batting practice on Monday.
“Max looked good. He felt good,” Bochy said.
DeGrom’s last start for the Rangers was on April 28, 2023, his sixth start after signing a $185 million, five-year contract as a free agent that previous offseason. He had surgery six weeks later.
