BY EMMANUEL OGBONNA
The Texas Rangers were forced into a late pitching adjustment on Saturday after two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom was scratched from his scheduled start against the Philadelphia Phillies due to neck stiffness.
Manager Skip Schumaker indicated that the decision was precautionary, with the expectation that deGrom will make his next start early next week during the club’s upcoming series against the Baltimore Orioles. According to Schumaker, the current plan is for the right-hander to take the mound either Tuesday or Wednesday, assuming his condition improves without complications.
In deGrom’s absence, the Rangers turned to left-hander Jacob Latz to fill the vacancy in the rotation. Latz, who did not secure a starting role during spring training, has primarily served as a bullpen arm throughout his time with the organization. Over parts of four seasons in Texas, he has been used in a variety of relief situations, and Saturday’s assignment represented an opportunity to step into a more prominent role on short notice.
The late change underscores the continued caution surrounding deGrom’s health, an issue that has followed the veteran pitcher in recent years. During his final seasons with the New York Mets, injuries limited his availability and disrupted what had been one of the most dominant stretches of pitching in modern baseball. Despite his elite performance when healthy, recurring physical setbacks ultimately shaped the latter part of his tenure in New York.
After entering free agency following the 2022 season, deGrom signed a five-year, $185 million contract with Texas, a deal that reflected both his exceptional talent and the calculated risk associated with his injury history. His initial season with the Rangers in 2023 offered a glimpse of his impact, as the team won all six of his starts before the end of April. However, that momentum was cut short when he underwent Tommy John surgery, sidelining him for an extended period and limiting his contribution during a campaign that ultimately culminated in the franchise’s first World Series title.
The structure of deGrom’s contract also reflects the uncertainties tied to his durability. The agreement includes a conditional sixth-year club option for 2028, valued at a minimum of $20 million and potentially rising to $37 million. That option has already been triggered as a result of the significant time he has missed due to injury, adding another layer of long-term consideration for the organization.
For the Rangers, the immediate focus remains on managing deGrom’s workload carefully while maintaining stability within the rotation. Early-season health decisions often carry broader implications, particularly for a pitcher of deGrom’s caliber, whose presence can significantly influence the team’s performance over the course of the season.
While the current issue is not believed to be serious, the decision to hold him out reflects a cautious approach aimed at preserving his availability for the months ahead. As Texas continues its schedule, the organization will look to balance short-term adjustments with the long-term goal of keeping one of its most important arms healthy and effective.
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