ARLINGTON, Texas — Rangers star pitcher Jacob deGrom said Friday afternoon he has “turned a corner” in returning to the active roster by throwing a 25-pitch bullpen session.
“For sure, feel like I’ve turned a corner,” said deGrom, sidelined since April 28 with elbow inflammation. “Everything felt good. Definitely headed in the right direction. I’m ready to go back out there.”
The 25-pitch workout was a step forward from his previous session a few days earlier, when he threw “16 or 18” pitches. The goal for his next outing will be to throw an “up-down,” during which he’ll throw, take a break, and then throw again to simulate what he’ll experience in a game.
DeGrom, the two-time NL Cy Young winner who left the New York Mets in December to sign a five-year, $185-million contract with Texas, said he isn’t ready to talk about beginning a rehab assignment.
DeGrom (2-0) was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 29, a day after he left a start against the New York Yankees in the fourth inning.
DeGrom has made six starts this season, pitching 30⅓ innings, going as far as seven innings once and throwing at least 90 pitches twice. He has a 2.67 ERA with 45 strikeouts, four walks and a .171 opponents’ batting average. The Rangers have won all of his starts.