Rangers Skipper 'Happy' Jacob deGrom Pulled Out of All-Star Game

The Texas Rangers are finally getting the version of Jacob deGrom they envisioned when they handed him the five-year, $185 million megadeal ahead of the 2023 season.

Entering the All-Star break, the right-hander has a 2.32 ERA across 19 starts, holding opposing hitters to a .194 batting average while also limiting the total number of base runners with a 0.91 WHIP.

deGrom was named to the American League roster in the All-Star Game, which is now his fifth selection and the first outside of the National League.

But he won't take the mound in Atlanta.

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The Rangers ace is opting to play it safe with his health, limiting the number of innings he throws the best he can in preparation for a potential playoff run by Texas.

While fans might be disappointed they don't get to see the two-time NL Cy Young winner compete in the Midsummer Classic, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy is anything but that.

"I guess, yeah, I'm happy about that decision. He's been carrying a pretty heavy workload coming off that surgery. We want to monitor that workload this season, so, yeah, it's a big relief for us," he said, per Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News (subscription required).

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deGrom current sits at 112 1/3 innings pitched.

The last time he went over even 100 was back in 2019, with the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign being the last time he was healthy before multiple injuries caused him to make just 35 starts from 2021-24.

Keeping deGrom healthy and effective is the task at hand for Texas.

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With their offense still trying to find themselves, the pitching staff can't afford to have a let up in production if they are going to make a run in the second half.

The Rangers are confident they have a plan in place to keep deGrom on the field for the rest of the year, but they are breathing a sigh of relief that he's not going to be doing anything extra in Atlanta for the All-Star Game.

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