Texas Rangers planning for Jacob deGrom to return next weekend at Seattle

The right-hander completed his fourth rehab assignment Saturday night and is eager to rejoin the Rangers’ rotation.

ARLINGTON — The countdown for Jacob deGrom’s 20204 debut with the Texas Rangers is officially rolling.

The right-hander tossed four scoreless innings Saturday night at Double A Frisco to complete his four-start rehab assignment and should be inserted into the Rangers’ rotation later this week when the team visits Seattle.

Manager Bruce Bochy said that deGrom is penciled in for Friday against the Mariners. That would give deGrom, who underwent Tommy John surgery in June of 2023, an extra day’s rest after logging 60 pitches at Frisco, the final 15 in the bullpen after he exited the game.

“I thought it was good,” deGrom said. “With however many I get here, it’s still going to be a work in progress to get back used to where everything is supposed to be. You take that long off, you’re still trying to figure it back out. I think last night was a huge step in the right direction.”

He allowed only one hit and struck out five, using primarily his fastball, slider and changeup. He said he threw a few curveballs just to test it out, but the slider was the big focus after struggling with it last weekend at Triple A Round Rock.

The only run deGrom allowed in the four starts came after the first two batters he faced on assignment. He allowed only four hits and one walk while striking out 15 in 10 2/3 innings.

DeGrom said the key going forward will be maintaining his mechanics and making sure he gets enough extension to keep his pitches at the bottom of the zone. It’s easier to do now that he’s throwing off of a mound as opposed to flat-ground work.

The next thing is controlling his adrenaline, which will be pumping as he returns to a big-league mound.

“That’s the thing,” deGrom said. “You’re trying to compete, and you go out there and you’re giving 100 percent. It’s sometimes hard not to do that. I’m excited, really excited, to be back out there. That’s the next step — big-league games, big-league hitters, let’s go.”

Jeff Wilson, jwilson@alldlls.com