Jacob deGrom is progressing towards returning from his injury, which the Texas Rangers will factor into their decisions before the trade deadline.
deGrom has missed the entire 2024 season due to recovery from Tommy John surgery in 2023. However, he is close to rejoining the rotation. Rangers manager Bruce Bochy announced that deGrom will join the team for their upcoming series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Before facing hitters, he will complete two more bullpen sessions.
As the trade deadline approaches, the Rangers are weighing their options. While deGrom’s return will be like a mid-season addition, the team is also considering bolstering their offense. The question is whether they will pursue pitching aggressively.
Although the Rangers have mostly been linked to position players, deGrom and Tyler Mahle are both expected to return from injuries to join a rotation that already includes Nathan Eovaldi, Jon Gray, Andrew Heaney, Michael Lorenzen, and Max Scherzer. Scherzer was previously mentioned as a potential trade candidate, but the team has shifted focus to acquiring players.
With deGrom’s return on the horizon, the Rangers must decide if adding another starting pitcher, such as Jack Flaherty, is worthwhile. They need to assess if the potential upgrade justifies giving up valuable prospects.
Currently, Texas has a record of 51-54 and is 4.5 games behind in the American League West. They remain in contention for the AL Wild Card, but their inconsistent performance may make them cautious about making significant trades.
As the trade deadline approaches, there is considerable uncertainty surrounding the team. Nevertheless, one thing is clear: the Rangers will be one of the most intriguing teams to watch as the deadline draws near.