Jacob

deGrom

DeGrom threw 32 pitches in the first and 88 through four while allowing four hits, walking two and striking out three. It’s likely that another team would have managed at least a couple of runs off him, as he wasn’t particularly sharp. The best the Mariners could do, though, was deny him a victory. DeGrom figures to face the Pirates on Thursday.

After giving up a homer to Cal Raleigh in the first inning in his last outing, deGrom gave up another solo dinger early, this time to Shohei Ohtani. From that point on, the 37-year-old was fantastic, allowing only three more hits and generating 15 swings and misses in the contest before exiting. His fastball averaged 97.2 mph, so the minor knee discomfort he was dealing with clearly didn’t have a major affect during Sunday’s bout. He’ll have a good chance to miss more bats when he faces the Mariners on Friday in Seattle.

It’s a massive relief for the Rangers, and fantasy managers, after deGrom experienced right knee discomfort while warming up for Monday’s start against the Mariners where he struck out six and allowed one run over five innings. The 37-year-old fantasy ace will make his next start on Sunday against the Dodgers.

Schumaker added that they expect to receive the MRI results at some point Tuesday evening before they determine his next steps. It’s a notable development after deGrom managed to complete five innings against the Mariners on Monday, despite pitching through a minor knee issue that cropped up while warming up in the bullpen before the game. It sounds like the Rangers are merely proceeding with an abundance of caution in advance of deGrom’s next start on Sunday against the Dodgers. There should be an additional update on his status shortly.

The only hit deGrom allowed was on a solo homer from Cal Raleigh, and that came after a 12-pitch at-bat. The 37-year-old dominated Seattle from that point on with six strikeouts, 14 swings-and-misses generated, and a fastball that touched 99.1 mph. He was only able to go five innings, however, as manager Skip Schumaker told reporters after the game that deGrom was dealing with a “minor” knee issue that he picked up warming up in the bullpen prior to the game. Schumaker suggested the right-hander was fine after the game and could have kept going, so he should be fine for Sunday’s start against the Dodgers.

It would have been one run in five innings if Wyatt Langford hadn’t terribly misread Gunnar Henderson’s shot to left with two outs in the fifth. DeGrom struck out seven and walked none while throwing 79 pitches, which is right where the Rangers said they wanted him before the game. He was making his first start of the season after being scratched Saturday with neck stiffness.

The veteran was scratched from his start over the weekend with a stiff neck, but rather than wait till his next turn the rotation, the Rangers will send him to the mound tonight. Make sure he’s in your lineups in all league types. Kumar Rocker will start on Wednesday.

DeGrom told reporters he was confident that he’d be able to to start Tuesday against the Orioles on Saturday, and the fact he was able to throw is a positive sign. He’s also a hurler with a significant injury history and it’s not even April yet, so it won’t be a surprise if he is skipped at least one turn. Fantasy managers should pay close attention for updates Monday, and be prepared for the worst.

DeGrom added that he woke up with neck stiffness and underwent treatment in an effort to start on Saturday against the Phillies before the decision was made to not to take any risks by pushing it. It certainly sounds like things are trending towards the 37-year-old veteran fantasy ace making his season debut during a three-game road series against the Orioles, which gets underway on Monday at Camden Yards. The tentative plan is for him to take the ball on Tuesday after Jack Leiter starts the series opener. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on the situation but initial reports seem to indicate that this isn’t a potential injured list situation. There should be some additional clarity on his status at some point later this weekend.

Jacob Latz will start on Saturday afternoon in his place. The Rangers do not believe the issue is serious and that deGrom could potentially start early next week against the Orioles, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. It certainly sounds like a precautionary decision and that deGrom isn’t facing an extended absence or potential trip to the injured list. The 37-year-old veteran ace’s checkered injury history suggests this is a developing situation worth monitoring closely. There should be a clearer idea of his availability once he attempts to throw a bullpen session either this weekend or early next week. Stay tuned.