The Texas Rangers are quickly slipping out of postseason contention and could desperately use the impact of a Cy Young-winning pitcher to rejuvenate the team. Although Jacob deGrom isn’t quite ready to return, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy has provided a positive update, indicating that deGrom is getting closer to beginning a rehab assignment, according to Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News.
“Bruce Bochy said that Jacob deGrom will throw his third live bullpen on Saturday. If that goes well, he will begin a rehab assignment afterwards,” McFarland reported on X, formerly known as Twitter.
deGrom has been gradually ramping up his activity, throwing bullpen sessions over the past few weeks with encouraging results. However, he still doesn’t have a specific timeline for his return as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. Even if Saturday’s live bullpen goes well, Texas will proceed cautiously with the 36-year-old pitcher.
Given the Rangers’ current record of 55-65, they are still in the mix for both the American League West and Wild Card races, but their chances of making a legitimate postseason push are slim.
This raises the question of whether the Rangers should bring deGrom back if they continue to struggle. If it were already mid-September, the answer might be no—risking further injury for just a start or two wouldn’t make sense if the playoffs were out of reach. However, since it’s only mid-August and the postseason is still technically within reach, the team may opt to bring him back if his recovery progresses well.
The Rangers are expected to proceed with extreme caution, ensuring they don’t rush deGrom’s recovery. If he continues to make good progress, they will likely bring him back at some point in 2024, even if they miss the playoffs. A few extra starts could help deGrom find his form ahead of the 2025 season. And if the Rangers manage to get back into playoff contention, deGrom could be a critical asset down the stretch.
