Jacob deGrom didn’t even make it from the spring training physical to the first workout of camp before his injury history became an issue for the Rangers to contend with.
With deGrom feeling some “tightness” in his left side following his most recent bullpen, combined with cold temperatures and some wet conditions, the Rangers decided to hold him out of their first workout, Texas general manager Chris Young said.
Young said deGrom wanted to participate in the workout, but the Rangers opted for caution.
“It’s as much about Day 1 of spring training as anything,” Young said Wednesday morning. “We’re more about planning for March 30. It’s cold and wet and we’re going to have to alter some of what we do anyway. He’s six bullpens in. He’s competitive and wants to be out there. This probably says more about me than it does him.”
Young indicated that deGrom was likely to participate in workouts later in the week. Temperatures were 34 degrees on Wednesday morning. A rain storm that produced hail on Tuesday night left some of the fields slick.
The Rangers have a $185 million investment in the two-time Cy Young winner over the next five years. When healthy, he’s as good as any pitcher in baseball, but he’s struggled with numerous injuries over the past two seasons. DeGrom has made just 26 starts and thrown 156 1/3 innings since 2021.
