WATCH: Jacob deGrom Sharp in Final Texas Rangers Spring Start
Opening Day starter Jacob deGrom made his final Spring Training appearance for the Texas Rangers, lasting nearly four innings and striking out six.
The Rangers announced Friday that deGrom, their top free-agent acquisition, would start Thursday opposite Aaron Nola of the Philadelphia Phillies.
deGrom squared off with the San Diego Padres in the Rangers’ final spring training game in Arizona before breaking camp and heading to Arlington for an exhibition game with the Kansas City Royals on Monday night.
He left the game with two out in the top of the fourth inning and two runners on base. deGrom threw 54 pitches, giving up no runs, two hits and two walks.
deGrom struck out Trent Grisham on a foul tip to lead off the top of the first. After former Rangers infielder Rougned Odor singled to center, Manny Machado popped out to second base and former Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz struck out swinging to end the inning.
In the second inning, deGrom struck out David Dahl and Brandon Dixon swinging before getting Brett Sullivan to pop out to shortstop. By that point deGrom had thrown 23 pitches.
In the third, deGrom retired Tim Lopes on a pop-up. That prompted a mound visit, followed by deGrom walking Taylor Kohlwey. Grisham flew out and Odor grounded out to end the inning.
By that point, deGrom threw 41 pitches. In the fourth, deGrom walked Machado, gave up a single to Cruz and then struck out Dahl for the first out. After deGrom struck out Brandon Dixon, the Rangers made a pitching change for Taylor Hearn.
The start culminated deGrom’s first spring with the Rangers. It started with him reporting on Feb. 14 with left side tightness and being shut down for four days. After a series of side sessions, bullpen sessions, a batting practice session and a back-field minor-league game, he started his first Major League spring game on Sunday against Seattle, where he threw three scoreless innings.
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