The Texas Rangers have built their whole identity around starting pitching. And this season, Jacob deGrom has been the guy carrying that weight. After two injury-marred seasons, the two-time Cy Young winner has actually been healthy and effective in 2026. The team and its fans really need that to keep going.
But now there’s a glute strain. And a decision to make.
DeGrom was pulled from his scheduled Sunday start against the Houston Astros. Skip Schumaker, the 2023 NL Manager of the Year, told reporters that deGrom is considered day to day for now. Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News had the update. The Rangers haven’t made any firm call on an injured list stint, but it’s still on the table.
“He’s trending in the right direction,” Schumaker said. The team plans to see how deGrom responds to treatment on Saturday before deciding anything. That timing matters. The All-Star break is almost here, and it couldn’t come at a better moment for Texas.
What deGrom Means to This Rangers Team
The Rangers sit at 48-46. That’s good enough for a slim lead in the AL West over both the Mariners and the Astros. But that lead is fragile. If Texas wants to hold on, they need their best players performing. DeGrom is obviously one of those guys.
He was named the AL Comeback Player of the Year in 2025 for a reason. This season, through 100 2/3 innings, he’s got a 3.49 ERA with 122 strikeouts. His WHIP sits at 1.013 and opponents are OPSing just .626 against him. Those are legit numbers from a guy who knows how fragile this all can be.
So the Rangers will be careful. They have to be. DeGrom’s history with injuries is well documented. A cautious approach here makes sense, even if it frustrates fans who want to see him pitch every fifth day.
A Break at the Right Time
The All-Star break is basically here. That gives deGrom a few extra days to rest without actually missing a start, if things go well. The Rangers are hoping he can avoid the IL entirely. But they’re not committing to that yet.
Fans will enjoy the All-Star festivities a lot more if No. 48 isn’t on the injured list when the second half starts. Right now, that’s the best case scenario. And for a team clinging to a division lead, it’s about all they can ask for.
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