Jacob deGrom — in line to start vs. Phillies on Opening Day — dealing with side ‘tightness’
In theory, the Philadelphia Phillies should face two-time National League Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom when they begin their 2023 slate against the Texas Rangers on March 30.
In reality, there’s already reason to question whether the oft-injured deGrom will be available for Bruce Bochy and the Rangers in the first game of the season.
Rangers general manager Chris Young told the collective media — including MLB.com‘s Kennedi Landry — that deGrom “felt tightness in his left side” in a recent bullpen session. Citing cold temperatures in Arizona currently, Young said that the Rangers are “holding him back a day or two.”
“It probably says more about me than it does Jake,” Young added, per Landry.
Still, this is a development worth monitoring given how frequently deGrom has been injured over the past few seasons. Since the start of 2021, deGrom has pitched at an all-time level when he’s been on the mound, posting a 1.90 ERA and 1.60 FIP over the last two seasons. The problem is that various injuries have limited the four-time All-Star to just 26 starts in two years. So while the Rangers may be telling the truth in saying that they are just being careful with deGrom, any suggestion that he’s not feeling 100% causes your ears to perk up.
After spending the first nine seasons of his career with the Mets, deGrom departed Queens to sign a five-year/$185 million deal with the Rangers this offseason. The 34-year-old is hoping to help Texas to return to the postseason for the first time since 2016.
If not deGrom, the Phillies could see lefty Martín Pérez or veteran Nathan Eovaldi, who inked a two-year/$34 million deal with Texas this offseason.
Rob Thomson and the Phillies will have a decision of their own to make in terms of who starts on Opening Day. Aaron Nola has made five consecutive Opening Day starts, but Zack Wheeler would probably get the nod to open the season for two-thirds of the league.
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