$185M Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom begins YEAR-LOOK recovery after successful reconstructive elbow surgery
- Jacob deGrom is just one year away from his five-year, $185 million contract with the Texas Rangers
- He is expected to be out for the next 12-14 months following Monday’s Tommy John operation
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Jacob deGrom underwent reconstructive surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow on Monday, and Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said the procedure went well.
The typical recovery time after the operation, commonly known as Tommy John surgery, is at least 12 to 14 months. Rangers team doctor Dr Keith Meister performed the operation, which took place a week before deGrom’s 35th birthday.
Texas signed deGrom to a five-year, $185 million deal in free agency last winter as the right-hander emerged from two injury-plagued seasons with the New York Mets.
Before deGrom (2-0, 2.67 ERA) was injured, AL West leaders Rangers won all six games the two-time National League Cy Young Award winner started. He last pitched against the New York Yankees on April 28, when he was released early due to injury issues for the second time in three starts. The four-time All-Star had 45 strikeouts with just four walks in 30 1/3 innings.
An MRI last week showed more inflammation and significant structural damage in the ligament, and the team announced deGrom will undergo season-ending surgery. A CT scan the day after he left the game against the Yankees, and before the five bullpen sessions that followed, showed only inflammation.
Jacob deGrom suffered a series of worrying injury problems and underwent surgery today
The end of deGrom’s time at the Mets was also hampered, but today’s surgery was a success
The pitcher is now expected to miss around 12-14 months as he recovers from his injury
DeGrom spent his first nine major league seasons with the Mets, but pitched just 156 1/3 innings in 26 starts in his last two years in New York. He missed the final three months of 2021 with a right forearm tightness and a sprained elbow, then only made his first league start last year on August 2 after being stopped at the end of spring training due to a stress reaction in his right shoulder blade. .
After being drafted by the Mets in 2010, deGrom underwent Tommy John surgery while still underage. He missed the entire 2011 season and didn’t make his major league debut until 2014.
The operation, which should keep him out for at least a year, will trigger Texas’ conditional option on deGrom’s contract for a sixth season at $20, 30 or $37 million. The 2028 award will depend on deGrom’s performance during the contract and health after the 2027 season, the fifth year of the deal.
