'No Way' Jacob deGrom Returns for Texas Rangers-Rays Showdown
ARLINGTON, Texas – Despite returning to the Texas Rangers on Monday, manager Bruce Bochy said Sunday there is “no way” Jacob deGrom will be ready to pitch in a showdown series with the Tampa Bay Rays later in the week.
“He hasn’t even thrown to a hitter, so no,” Bochy said before 12-3 beatdown of the Seattle Mariners in the series finale. “I’m not really thinking about that series right now to be honest.”
As far deGrom is concerned, he likely will not pitch again in June. The Rangers moved him to the 60-day injured list Monday.
The American League West-leading Rangers (38-20) have a three-game series with the St. Louis Cardinals starting Monday night before another Thursday off. The Rays, owners of the best record in baseball, play host to Texas starting Friday in Tampa.
Bochy wasn’t sure when deGrom would throw again after rejoining the club from a trip home to Florida for the birth of his child. The two-time Cy Young Award winner has been out since April 29 with right elbow inflammation.
deGrom has thrown several bullpen sessions, but a return timetable has yet to be publicly shared. The Rangers do want to run additional tests on deGrom’s arm.
“The plan is to get together and see where we’re at, see how’s he feeling,” Bochy said.
The plan could be another bullpen session or progressing to live batters in a practice situation. Monday should go a long way to establishing the next rehab step.
As for pitching in what figures to be the signature MLB series of the weekend, the Rangers skipper couldn’t be more emphatic.
“There’s no way,” Bochy said.
Martín Pérez (6-1, 4.43) goes for Texas in the St. Louis opener, with Redbirds starting Adam Wainwright (2-1, 6.15). First pitch is set for a 7:05 p.m. at Globe Life Field.
More From SI’s Inside The Rangers:
- Texas Rangers New Nike City Connect Jersey Pay Homage to Dallas-Fort Worth
- Texas Rangers in Play to Sing Shohei Ohtani
- Arlington Mayor Says Rougned Odor ‘Punch’ Mural to Stay
- Texas Rangers Clubhouse ‘Insane’ Says Reliever
- No Pride in Texas, Rangers Lone Team Without Pride Night
- MLB, Texas Rangers Win Bally Sports Broadcast Suit
- AL West is 'Ours,' Not Astros Says Texas Rangers First Baseman
- Derek Holland Making Baseball Comeback
- Bally Sports Southwest to Televise Nearly All Rangers Games
- Texas Rangers Unveil Exciting New Ballpark Food
You can follow Art Garcia on Twitter @ArtGarcia92.
Catch up with Inside the Rangers on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram.
