DeGrom has been a stabilizing presence for a Rangers rotation that has endured its share of volatility this season. An extended absence would force Texas to balance rotation depth with potential midseason acquisitions, a common calculus for teams evaluating their playoff chances in late July.
During Tuesday’s outing against the Los Angeles Angels, deGrom exited after five innings and 80 pitches, having allowed two runs. What was initially described as a hip issue has since been clarified as a left glute strain by manager Skip Schumaker, who indicated that the team will monitor the pitcher’s recovery in the coming days.
“Anything with a hip, or lower half, or arm, you’re definitely concerned,” Schumaker said. “We had a conversation with him, and the way he’s feeling today is better, but you never know until a couple more days of rehab and how he feels.”
DeGrom’s injury history has been a defining feature of his career. He underwent Tommy John surgery in October 2010 after a partial UCL tear at Stetson University, followed by rotator cuff tendinitis in 2014 and ulnar nerve surgery in 2016. From 2018 through 2022, he faced elbow, hip, hamstring, and shoulder issues that limited his availability. A second Tommy John procedure in 2023 restricted him to six starts in his first season with Texas. He managed only a few appearances in 2024 before finally sustaining a full, healthy campaign in 2025, delivering 30 starts and 172 2/3 innings—the heaviest workload since 2019.
This season has brought more health scares in smaller doses: neck stiffness before his 2026 debut, knee soreness in April, and now a glute strain in July. Despite these hiccups, deGrom reached the 100-inning mark in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2019, posting a 3.49 ERA and roughly a 30% strikeout rate across 18 starts. While his numbers don’t match the peak years with his former team, the Mets, his durability at 38 remains a valuable asset for Texas, especially given his track record and elite talent when healthy.
Texas entered the week with Jack Leiter on the injured list due to a significant ankle issue, opening an opportunity for additional rotation depth. If deGrom is sidelined longer than expected, the Rangers could call up pitching prospect Jose Corniell, who has one major-league appearance, or rely on veteran left-hander Jordan Montgomery, who has been working his way back from an elbow injury and has made several rehab starts.
Looking at deGrom’s career highlights, his resume remains extraordinary: a 103-70 record with a 2.63 ERA, a 0.988 WHIP, and 1,973 strikeouts across 1,640 1/3 innings in 266 starts. He has earned two Cy Young Awards (2018, 2019), the 2014 NL Rookie of the Year, five All-Star selections, and in 2025 the Comeback Player of the Year award in the American League. In the 2023 season, he signed a five-year, $185 million deal with Texas, extending through 2027 with a mutual option for 2028. The ongoing question has always been health, and this glute strain is another test of how much remains in one of the game’s most dominant right arms.
If deGrom does miss time, Texas will have to navigate a delicate balance: preserve a veteran anchor for a possible playoff push while ensuring the pitching staff remains flexible for an aggressive deadline plan. The Rangers might lean on established depth or promote from within, depending on how the next few days of rehab progress and any further imaging or medical evaluations turn out.
In the broader context, deGrom’s value to the Rangers isn’t solely in the innings he logs but in the potential he represents when he’s at his best. Teams are built around veteran arms who can deliver high-quality starts when needed most, and Texas recognizes that even a limited window of productivity from him can influence their postseason trajectory. The coming days will determine whether he can return quickly or if more extended steps are required to ensure he returns to full strength.
As the club awaits additional diagnostic updates and monitors his rehabilitation, fans and analysts will be watching closely for signs of progress. The outcome could shape not only the Rangers’ immediate rotation plans but also their strategy as the trade deadline looms, influencing which pieces they pursue to bolster depth and continuity in a pivotal stretch of the season.
