The injury concerns may already be starting for the Texas Rangers’ prized offseason addition.
Rangers righty Jacob deGrom was forced to exit Monday’s start against the Kansas City Royals due to an injury. deGrom tossed four no-hit innings and 58 pitches before his evening came to an end due to right wrist soreness.
While the Rangers noted that his removal from the game was a “precaution,” it also said that deGrom would continue to be evaluated.
deGrom had allowed just two baserunners (on a walk and on an error by teammate Nathaniel Lowe) and struck out five batters. He even touched triple digits on multiple punchouts.
Rangers righty Dane Dunning relieved deGrom and gave up a base hit to the second batter that he faced in the fifth inning.
The two-time Cy Young winner deGrom, who agreed to a five-year, $185 million deal with the Rangers in the offseason, is arguably the best pitcher in baseball when healthy. But deGrom has a tough time staying off of the injured list, failing to reach the 100-inning mark in either of the last two seasons.
The Rangers are already down another big-money asset in Corey Seager, who recently strained his hamstring and is out for the next month. An issue with the soon-to-be 35-year-old deGrom might be more concerning though, especially since he already dealt with some discomfort in the spring.
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