Texas Rangers Morning Rundown: Jacob deGrom returning sooner than expected?

The right-hander was originally scheduled to make four starts on rehab assignment, but the door could be open for him to finish rehabbing in the majors.

The Texas Rangers didn’t do a whole heck of a lot Monday, spending an off day in Chicago after losing a weekend series at Cleveland. Next up is a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox, and, boy, are they terrible.

Anything less than a series win would be another black eye for the Rangers, who swept a four-game series from the White Sox last month at Globe Life Field. Those four wins might have convinced general manager Chris Young to not sell at the trade deadline.

The most important thing going down tonight isn’t happening in Chicago but in Round Rock, where right-hander Jacob deGrom will make his second rehab start. The Rangers initially scheduled four outings for deGrom, but that might be changing.

Young appeared on MLB Network Radio on Sunday and said that after tonight the Rangers will try to find a “responsible way for him to pitch through September.” Sticking to the program is probably the most responsible, but it seems like the door is open to deGrom coming back sooner than the Sept. 10-15 road trip to Arizona and Seattle.

If deGrom stays on normal rest after tonight, he would pitch again Sunday. The Rangers are facing the A’s. If they bumped deGrom to Tuesday (minor league teams don’t play on Mondays), he would start against the Yankees, the opponent in his last start of 2023 before going on the injured list.

If deGrom makes a third rehab start, he could be ready to pitch in the majors next weekend against the Angels. If the Rangers were to bring him back sooner, he would continue to be on a pitch count as he finished his build-up in the majors.

He made his first rehab start Thursday at Double A Frisco and allowed one run on two hits in two innings, striking out three. He is scheduled to work three innings tonight at Dell Diamond against Oklahoma City.

He is still working on commanding his pitches at the bottom of the zone. He might not want to pitch in the majors until he’s zeroed in, but he might not get as zeroed in as he wants to be until he faces big-league hitters.

No matter which route the Rangers take, deGrom needs to pitch in the majors this season. He wants it and needs to be confident that he is no longer in rehab mode, and so he can have a normal offseason.

Brotherly love

The Rangers were off Monday, but Josh Jung made his way to Guaranteed Rate Field on Chicago’s south side anyway so that he could watch his younger brother play.

Jace Jung made his MLB debut earlier this month during the Rangers’ last homestand, and Jungs’ parents made the trip to Detroit for the debut. Josh was stuck in Arlington doing his day job as the Rangers’ third baseman.

But he didn’t miss his first chance to see Jace in a big-league uniform as the Tigers beat the White Sox. Jace collected two hits and drove in a run.

How awesome must their parents feel, knowing that they created two college All-Americans, turned first-round picks, turned major-league ballplayers? Josh told DFW writers first-hand how proud he is.

They are scheduled to face off against each other for the first time next season, May 9-11, when the Rangers visit Detroit.

Rocker all set

Right-handed prospect Kumar Rocker is scheduled to start Wednesday night at Round Rock in his Triple A debut after obliterating the Texas League with Frisco.

The Rangers’ 2022 first-round pick (third overall), Rocker posted a 0.46 ERA with Frisco in 19 2/3 innings, striking out 29 and walking only three. He was so dominant that he needed only his fastball and slider.

Triple A hitters should force him to reach a little deeper into his arsenal. He also throws a cutter and a changeup, and those pitches help him keep batters guessing.

Wednesday starts for Round Rock had belonged to Jack Leiter, the Rangers’ 2021 first-rounder (second overall). He is expected to return to the Rangers’ rotation Wednesday.

Leiter’s first three big-league starts left plenty to be desired, but his Triple A numbers have been among the best in the Pacific Coast League. He dominated in his past two starts after getting a bit of a breather to finish out the season.

Doggy video!

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