Jacob deGrom is back. The Texas Rangers ace will start Monday’s series opener against the Chicago White Sox at Globe Life Field, per the team’s probables page at MLB.com, with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. He’ll be opposed by White Sox right-hander Eric Fedde. The return is a relief for Texas after deGrom’s status for the second half had been in doubt.
deGrom was scratched from his final start before the All-Star break with a mild left glute strain, which left his availability uncertain heading into the second half. He threw a bullpen session in Atlanta on Saturday, came through it cleanly, and passed the tests needed to be cleared for Monday.
Rested and Rolling
The 38-year-old will take the mound with plenty in the tank. His last outing came on July 7, so he’ll be pitching on 13 days of rest. In that start against the Los Angeles Angels, he allowed two earned runs on five hits over five innings while striking out seven and walking two. Monday will be his 19th start of the season, and he carries a 7-5 record with a 3.49 ERA, 122 strikeouts, and 22 walks across 100.2 innings. He’s one of three Rangers starters to already reach 100 strikeouts before August.
The timing matters. Texas enters the White Sox series in first place in the AL West, but the cushion is thin. The Seattle Mariners, chasing in the division, come to Arlington on Friday for a four-game series, and deGrom lines up to face them Saturday or Sunday depending on how the Rangers arrange the rotation around Thursday’s off day.
The Rest of the Rotation Is Unsettled
Behind deGrom, Texas hasn’t locked in the rest of the series. Kumar Rocker is the only starter who hasn’t pitched since the break, which makes him the natural choice for Tuesday, though he’s been scuffling. He got hit hard by Houston on July 11, surrendering seven earned runs on eight hits in 5.2 innings, and he sits at 2-8 with a 4.40 ERA on the year and 0-3 with a 5.82 ERA over his last seven appearances.
Cal Quantrill projects as the Wednesday starter after a rough outing of his own. He gave up six earned runs on 11 hits in four innings at Atlanta on Friday, his worst start since stepping in for the injured Jack Leiter. Quantrill is 3-2 with a 3.93 ERA across 20 games and five starts, but he’s 0-2 with a 5.70 ERA over his last seven outings.
For now, the Rangers have their ace back and rested, with the innings behind him still to be sorted out.
