ARLINGTON, Texas — Jacob deGrom might not rejoin the Texas Rangers’ rotation on this homestand after all.
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Friday that deGrom will make two more minor league rehab starts in the next eight days: On Sunday, with Triple-A Round Rock, and another next Saturday, most likely with Double-A Frisco. That, if all goes well, would conceivably line deGrom up to rejoin Texas’ rotation on its West Coast road trip against the Arizona Diamondbacks (Sep. 10-11) and the Seattle Mariners (Sep. 12-14).
Bochy said deGrom will pitch three innings — or around 45 pitches — on Sunday vs. Oklahoma City. The 36-year-old threw 24 pitches in two perfect innings in his second rehab appearance on Tuesday with Round Rock, and has allowed just one run through his first four competitive innings this season.
Right-handed pitcher Max Scherzer — who has been sidelined since Aug. 2 with right shoulder fatigue — threw a bullpen Friday at Globe Life Field. The three-time Cy Young award winner had been scheduled to make a rehab start at Double-A Frisco on Aug. 23, but he was scratched, deemed “not ready” and visited team physician Dr. Keith Meister on Aug. 24 for an evaluation.
Bochy said they’ll “figure out the next move” after they see how Scherzer recovers from his bullpen session.
“I think he had a good day throwing today,” Rangers general manager Chris Young said Friday. “We’ll see how he feels tomorrow. This has been so up and down that I just really don’t think we can get too far ahead. Just see where he comes in tomorrow and take it one day at a time. I know he’s frustrated and wishes he was out here pitching.”
