“It felt really good.” Texas Rangers ace Jacob deGrom will be on the mound for the first time in 2024

FRISCO- Jacob deGrom was in a game on Thursday night for the first time in over a year.

The Texas Rangers right-hander, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery in June 2023, made his first rehab start for Double-A Frisco at Riders Field.

It was short but impressive, and the two-time Cy Young winner feels good after his 29-pitch, two-inning performance.

“It felt really good. It’s a work in progress,” deGrom said. “I just left a couple of fastballs up, but the sliders are good, the changeup is good. When I get back to full health, I’m constantly working on things and trying to avoid mishits over the middle of the batting crease. And that’s going to take a little bit of time, but hopefully I can get this under control and make better throws when I get back with the team.”

DeGrom’s first pitch of the night was clocked at 99 miles per hour, and his fastball consistently stayed at the same speed. He threw four changeups and a series of sliders.

San Antonio Missions outfielder Cole Cummings, to the surprise of most spectators, hit a 1-1 double down first base. Moments later, he scored on a soft single by Connor Hollis to right-center field on an 0-2 pitch.

“Yeah, it was frustrating,” deGrom said with a grin. “I tried to throw the fastball up a little bit. I wanted to try to throw my fastball through the zone, but it didn’t work. That’s going to be part of it. You’re still trying to make the throws you need to make (in the majors).”

deGrom was more concerned with experimenting with his pitch arsenal than making the right throws in certain counts during certain at-bats, including throwing four changeups.

“I could go out and throw all the sliders and probably have pretty good success, but I try to throw everything,” he said.

deGrom was sidelined with an arm injury in May 2023 and underwent Tommy John surgery a few weeks later. He likely won’t be an option for the Rangers’ rotation until around Sept. 10.

As usual, deGrom treated his RoughRiders teammates to a nice buffet after Thursday’s game. deGrom had The Streak and lobster delivered from the Capital Grille. You can only imagine the bill for about 30 to 40 players and staff.

This was the first of four possible rehab appearances for deGrom before he can return to the Rangers’ rotation. He will gradually increase his pitch count to 70-75 pitches before the club lets him start at the major league level. It will be his first MLB appearance since April 28, when he left after 3 2/3 innings with an arm issue. Before his injury, he was 6-0 with a 2.76 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 30 1/3 innings in six appearances for Texas.

Max Scherzer, on the injured list because of right shoulder fatigue, was scheduled to participate in a rehab workout with Frisco on Friday, but that was postponed. The Rangers said he was not ready to continue.

You can follow Stefan Stevenson on X @StefanVersusTex.

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