Texas Rangers Ace deGrom Set for Spring Debut

Jacob deGrom has yet to pitch in a Cactus League game after experiencing a minor setback at the start of Spring Training.

Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom is turning a significant corner by making his first start of Spring Training on Monday.

The Rangers announced Sunday that deGrom would make his spring debut in a Double-A Game against the Kansas City Royals on the back fields at Surprise, Ariz. Another Rangers pitcher bouncing back from left-side tightness, Nathan Eovaldi, will start in a Triple-A game.

deGrom, the new ace of the Rangers rotation, has not thrown anything but bullpen sessions and batting practice since arriving in Surprise. He initially felt some left-side discomfort, which led to Texas shutting down deGrom for a few days.

He’s since upped his workload and threw another bullpen on Saturday. Rangers manager Bruce Bochy indicated Friday that deGrom was on the verge of facing batters in live game if he continued to progress.

“He could be pitching Monday,” Bochy said.

deGrom threw his first live batting practice Wednesday, facing six hitters – a mix from the Majors and minors – in a 35-pitch session. His fastball topped out at 100 mph.

“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.”

General manager Chris Young previously said that deGrom was on a schedule for Opening Day.

“We’re in good shape in terms of him being ready for the season,” Young said.

deGrom signed with Texas for five years and $185 million –the largest contract ever given a pitcher by the franchise – to lead a rebuilt pitching staff. The two-time Cy Young winner with the New York Mets went 5-4 with a 3.08 ERA in 11 starts last season.

The Rangers face the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday in Cactus League play.

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