ARLINGTON — Before most games, Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy can be spotted near the team’s bullpen, keeping a close eye mainly on those pitchers who are climbing their way back from injuries.
Bochy has even stepped up to the plate himself, literally standing in as a batter to help his pitchers gauge real game scenarios.
This past Friday, Bochy was seen beyond the right-center field wall, attentively watching as ace pitcher Jacob deGrom hurled pitches in what has become a regular bullpen session for him. For approximately two weeks, deGrom, a standout right-hander, has been meticulously working his way back from his second Tommy John surgery since June 2023.
After observing deGrom’s session, an impressed Bochy remarked, “I wanted to start him in five days. That’s how well I thought he threw.
He bumped 98.” For a pitcher like deGrom, who typically surpasses the 100 mph mark when fully healthy, this speed is a promising sign, though he remains weeks away from joining the Rangers in season play.
Despite the milestone, deGrom was focused less on velocity and more on his pitch count and style. He shared, “I’m trying to be smooth and just have good mechanics.
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That’s what we worked on this whole rehab. Yesterday felt like the most dialed in on the mechanics I’ve been.”
DeGrom is scheduled to increase his sessions next week to 30 pitches twice a week and introduce changeups to his current regimen of fastballs.
Command is typically a major focus for pitchers recovering from Tommy John surgery, but Bochy has no reservations about deGrom’s abilities. Bochy observed that deGrom’s pitches ranging from 95 to 97 mph were “comfortable, nice and easy, and he was locating well.” He added, “It was impressive to watch.”
DeGrom’s ongoing recovery and meticulous work regimen point towards a promising return to the mound for the Rangers, bolstering their rotation with one of the game’s top pitching talents. His steady progress under Bochy’s watchful eye bodes well for a strong performance this season.
