WATCH: Jacob deGrom Throws Another Bullpen for Rangers
Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom threw his fourth bullpen session on Saturday, as he continues to work his way into shape for the start of the regular season.
deGrom threw in a session with two other pitchers on Saturday. In the video taken by Inside The Rangers, deGrom is on the far left, with Dominic Leone pitching in the middle and newly-signed left-handed reliever Will Smith on the right.
The bullpen came before the Rangers’ scheduled spring game with the Chicago White Sox.
deGrom’s last throwing session was on Wednesday, which was a batting practice session. After that session, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said that deGrom was making progress on being ready for the start of the season, but gave no indication that deGrom might throw in a spring game.
Saturday’s session was the latest positive development on deGrom, even though it is happening incrementally since he reported left side tightness to the Rangers when he arrived in Surprise on Feb. 14.
Rangers pitchers have thrown at least two bullpen sessions and one live batting practice before taking part in a spring game.
Since taking four days off at the start of spring training, deGrom has thrown three bullpens and a batting practice session.
By that timeline, deGrom has done more than the minimum to be ready. But, given the Rangers’ significant investment in him, they’re also being cautious.
The Rangers signed deGrom to a five-year, $185 million deal in the offseason, the largest contract they’ve ever awarded a pitcher. At 35, he’s one of six projected starters that is over the age of 30.
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