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.
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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.
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“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.”
