Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom navigated left hip and upper leg soreness during Tuesday's 8-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels at Globe Life Field.
The 38-year-old right-hander limited the Angels to two runs over five innings, striking out seven on 80 pitches before exiting as a precaution.
DeGrom's early departure prevented him from completing six innings for the first time in six starts.
“This week, it kind of lingered,” deGrom said, per MLB. com.
“I felt it when I was warming up and cut my warmups a little short. ...
After the fifth, it was tightening up and we decided, 'This is probably enough.'”
The two-time Cy Young Award winner altered his pitch mix, throwing more curveballs as his fastball velocity dipped from 98 mph to 96.1 mph by the fifth inning.
“I think I'll be fine,” deGrom said about his upcoming start against the Houston Astros on Sunday.
“I think we'll stay on top of it this week, and I think I'll be good to go.”
DeGrom's first-inning struggles continued, as he allowed two runs in the opening frame.
He now owns a 9.50 ERA in the first inning this season, accounting for 19 of the 39 runs he has allowed.
“The first inning, it's frustrating,” deGrom said. “I gotta do a better job in the first inning.
I put us in a hole, but our lineup did a good job of battling back.”
The veteran's changeup command suffered due to an altered stride, so he relied more on his curveball, which he felt had good feel.
DeGrom has been durable since 2025, making 48 starts despite an early-season neck issue. He acknowledged the soreness but said it is manageable.
Manager Prioritizes Long-Term Health
Rangers manager Skip Schumaker praised deGrom's effort but chose not to push for an extra inning.
“He was fighting the whole game,” Schumaker said, per the Dallas Morning News. “For him to give us five innings like he did was really impressive.
... I think he could have probably gone out again, but I just felt like it wasn't smart.”
Schumaker expressed confidence that deGrom will make his next start, though he will monitor the pitcher's condition.
DeGrom finished with a no-decision, leaving his season ERA at 3.49 with a 1.01 WHIP and 122 strikeouts against 22 walks over 100 2/3 innings.
He is scheduled to start Sunday against the Astros in the final game before the All-Star break.
