While battling for the top spot in the American League West with the Houston Astros, the Texas Rangers faced concerns with ace pitcher Jacob deGrom.
The 38-year-old exited his Aug. 13 start early after pitching just 2.0 innings. He was facing discomfort in his throwing arm, and the Rangers would go on to lose to the Los Angeles Angels 7-0.
Uncertainty filled the Rangers’ rotation heading into their series against the Washington Nationals. Jacob deGrom will miss his scheduled start on Wednesday. The team will have Kumar Rocker on the mound.
However, deGrom is expected to start on Thursday in the series finale, said Rangers insider Jeff Wilson. “He said he feels good,” the insider wrote.
Details on Jacob deGrom’s Injury
GettyAfter exiting an Aug. 13 start against the Los Angeles Angels due to right triceps fatigue, starting pitcher Jacob deGrom is expected to return to the mound on Thursday against the Washington Nationals. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
The Rangers labeled Jacob deGrom’s setback as right triceps fatigue, leading to his exit on Aug. 13.
“I’m not too concerned,” deGrom initially said following his exit. “Hopefully I’ll make my next [start], we’ll see. Tonight, it just — there in the second it was tight and just didn’t want to loosen up. I haven’t really had that before.”
He added that he could have pitched through the discomfort, but decided to play it safe, according to MLB.com’s Jacob Gurvis.
Although he technically did miss his scheduled start for Wednesday, deGrom is eyeing a return to the mound on Thursday.
The two-time Cy Young Award winner hasn’t let age wear him down. In his 13th season, deGrom has an 8-8 record, 3.95 ERA, and 1.17 WHIP with 147 strikeouts in 120.2 innings pitched.
Texas will need the veteran while trailing the Astros in the AL West by one game.
Rangers Designate Austin Wynns for Assignment
GettyThe Texas Rangers designated catcher Austin Wynns for assignment after Danny Jensen returned from the 60-day injured list on Aug. 18. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
The Rangers announced ahead of the team’s series against the Washington Nationals that they have designated catcher Austin Wynns for assignment.
Wynns, 35, was signed to a minor league deal by the Rangers on June 23. Texas needed extra depth at catcher while waiting on Danny Jansen’s return from the 60-day injured list. Jansen returned to the Rangers’ lineup on Aug. 18, leading to the team moving on from Austin Wynns.
In 14 games with the Rangers, Wynns batted .146/.195/.183 with one home run and one RBI. He will look to join his fourth team of the 2026 MLB season.
Rangers Provide Jacob deGrom Injury Update Ahead of Nationals Finale