Rangers Announce Jacob deGrom News After Scratch Against Phillies

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Mar 28, 2026 12:27 PM ET

The Texas Rangers are trying to compete in a tough American League West, and if they manage to do so this season, it will be because of their starting rotation. The team made a major splash in the offseason by acquiring former Washington Nationals ace MacKenzie Gore to join an already strong group headlined by Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi.

But even with the addition, the biggest factor in the rotation’s performance is health, especially when it comes to deGrom. The veteran right‑hander made just nine total starts over his first two seasons of his five‑year, $185 million deal due to injuries.

Fortunately for Texas, deGrom finally delivered the ace‑level production they envisioned in 2025, making 30 starts and dominating with a 2.97 ERA, 12‑8 record and 185 strikeouts across 172 2/3 innings.

That performance earned him an eighth‑place finish in AL Cy Young voting and his fifth career All‑Star selection, his first as a Ranger.

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (48)© Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images

As deGrom turns the page to 2026, his focus is on carrying that momentum into the new season. However, early Saturday morning, that plan came to a halt just ahead of his first scheduled start on Saturday.

Moments before first pitch, the Rangers announced that deGrom had been scratched due to neck stiffness. Jacob Latz will take the mound instead against the Philadelphia Phillies as Texas attempts to avoid dropping its first series of the year.

Concern spiked briefly, but the Rangers do not believe the injury is serious, and deGrom could still make his season debut later on the road trip (h/t Evan Grant of Dallas Morning News).

RHP Jacob deGrom has been scratched from Saturday's scheduled start in Philadelphia due to neck stiffness. LHP Jacob Latz will make today's start for Texas.
— Texas Rangers PR (@TXRangersPR) March 28, 2026

The good news for Texas is that this does not appear to be a long‑term setback, but it will be something to monitor throughout the year with deGrom entering his age‑38 season. The veteran has accumulated plenty of mileage over his 13 MLB seasons between the New York Mets and Rangers.

Still, when he is on the mound, deGrom remains one of the best pitchers of his generation, highlighted by his Rookie of the Year award and two Cy Young awards. The Rangers will try to win without him on Saturday, but their hopes of contending hinge heavily on keeping their ace at full strength as the season unfolds.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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