Jacob deGrom 'Really Good' After Latest Rangers Batting Practice Session
Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom felt “really good” after throwing to live batters Wednesday, furthering the hope that the two-time Cy Young winner will be ready for Opening Day.
The 34-year-old right-hander faced six hitters – a mix from the majors and minors – in a 35-pitch session, with his fastball topping out at 100 mph. He’s thrown five times this spring after initially taking a few days off with tightness in his left side.
“It’s a big step facing hitters,” deGrom said. “I did a lot of bullpens before I got here, so taking the four days off didn’t seem like it was a big deal. And then today to get two ups and feel really good out there, and now afterwards, so I think the plan is to see how everything recovers this week and go from there.”
Among the batters he faced in two simulated innings were Jonah Heim, Josh Smith, and Yoshi Tsutsugo.
“I’m trying to make a couple of mechanical adjustments, and it’s helping me stay through the ball,” deGrom said. “I didn’t like how my arm was coming up and I was trying to make some changes to that. Slider was not very good [Wednesday], but I was able to locate the fastball and pretty much know where I wanted to.”
He also threw with a pitch clock for the first time, which was monitored by pitching coach Mike Maddux.
“It was tough to see, I wasn’t really going by it,” deGrom said. “But Mike was paying attention and was like, ‘Hey, you’re within it the whole time,’ and I felt like I was working at my normal pace.”
The minimum the Rangers want their pitchers to throw before a spring game is two bullpen sessions and a batting practice session. The Rangers were off Thursday after losing to the Arizona Diamondbacks 2-0 on Wednesday.
The Rangers haven’t revealed the plan for deGrom to pitch in a spring game. However, general manager Chris Young has said there is a schedule mapping out deGrom’s preparation for Opening Day.
The Rangers have been cautious with deGrom, considering their $185 million investment. That approach seems to be working, especially after his latest throwing session.
“It was coming out easy,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “It was the Jake we know. He wasn’t holding back. He was letting it go using all his pitches. It was just a really positive day.”
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