Rangers Ace Jacob deGrom Exits Start Against Yankees Due to Forearm Tightness
Jacob deGrom, the ace pitcher of the Texas Rangers, unexpectedly exited his start against the New York Yankees on Friday night after giving up his first hit with two outs in the fourth inning. This came as a shock to both the Rangers and the fans, especially since deGrom was off to an impressive start, having retired the first 10 batters and boasting a 5-0 lead.
Forearm Tightness Forces deGrom to Exit
Unfortunately, the pitcher experienced forearm tightness, which led to his exit from the game. According to Rangers manager Bruce Bochy, deGrom will be re-evaluated on Saturday to determine the extent of his injury. The manager assured fans that it was merely a precautionary measure and that they wanted to be cautious with deGrom.
DeGrom’s History of Injuries
DeGrom’s history of injuries is well-documented. In his past two seasons with the New York Mets, he was limited to 156⅓ innings over 26 starts. The Rangers were already cautious with him during spring training after he reported tightness in his left side before the team’s first scheduled workout. However, he still went on to become the Opening Day starter.
What Happened in the Game?
In the fourth inning of the game against the Yankees, deGrom walked Anthony Rizzo ahead of Willie Calhoun on an 0-2 count with two outs. DeGrom threw a 96.6 mph fastball that sailed outside for a ball, and the pitcher reached for his left side. He followed it with an 89.4 mph slider that was outside, and Calhoun hit an opposite-field single to left. DeGrom appeared to limp slightly, which prompted the team’s athletic trainer and pitching coach to go to the mound.
DeGrom’s Departure from the Game
After meeting with the manager in foul territory, Bochy went to the mound and removed the two-time National League Cy Young Award winner from the game in favor of Dane Dunning. It was a disappointment for both deGrom and his teammates, as he signed a $185 million, five-year contract with the Rangers in December after his first nine seasons with the Mets.
Final Thoughts
The Rangers are hoping that deGrom’s injury is not serious and that he can return to the field soon. The team has been cautious with him in the past, and they will undoubtedly take all necessary steps to ensure that he recovers fully before returning to the mound. We wish him a speedy recovery and hope to see him back in action soon.
