There are two things you can say about Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom.
The first is that when he is healthy, he is one of the best right-handed pitchers of the modern era. The second is that lately he has not been healthy very often.
That second trend has continued this weekend as the Rangers had to place deGrom the 15-day IL right right elbow inflammation.
He left his most recent start on Friday with right forearm tightness.
This obviously has to be a concern for both deGrom and the Rangers.
He was their big free agent addition this offseason, and has been mostly dominant in his first six starts. Through Saturday he has struck out 45 batters to only four walks in 30.1 innings. Along with that he has a 2.67 ERA. All great numbers.
But anytime a starting pitcher, especially one with recent injury concerns, goes on the IL with elbow inflammation and forearm tightness you have to have some cause for concern.
Including his six starts this season,deGrom has started just 44 games since the start of the 2020 season.
After finishing as one of the worst teams in baseball in each of the past three seasons the Rangers are off to a strong start this season, going 15-11 entering play on Saturday. The addition of deGrom has been a big reason for that as they are 6-0 in his starts.
Now they will be without him for at least two weeks. Hopefully not more.
