Jacob deGrom to start Thursday with 2,000 Ks in reach
Jacob deGrom is scheduled to start for the Texas Rangers on Thursday night against the Washington Nationals, sitting just two strikeouts shy of 2,000 for his career after recovering from triceps fatigue that cut short his previous start last week at the Angels.
Manager Skip Schumaker said Wednesday that the two-time Cy Young winner recovered well after a bullpen session and will take the series finale in Arlington. For more celebrity breaking news, follow BlasterPost coverage of star athletes in the headlines.
Key Takeaways
- Jacob deGrom enters Thursday with 1,998 career strikeouts, two away from 2,000.
- He will start the Rangers' series finale against the Washington Nationals after skipping his normal Wednesday turn.
- Schumaker said deGrom feels good and will not face specific pitch or inning limits.
- He left his last start early with triceps fatigue and has also dealt with left hip and glute issues.
- A milestone now would make him the ninth active pitcher and 94th overall to reach 2,000 K's.
When is Jacob deGrom scheduled to pitch next?
According to ESPN, deGrom is lined up for Thursday night after what would have been his normal start on Wednesday. Schumaker confirmed the right-hander bounced back from a bullpen session the day before and is cleared to go.
"Feels good, so good to go," Schumaker said. He added that staff will check with deGrom between innings rather than impose a hard limit. Yahoo Sports noted recent command issues and shorter outings as context for the Nationals matchup.
How close is Jacob deGrom to 2,000 career strikeouts?
DeGrom has 1,998 strikeouts in 1,660 1/3 innings across 271 starts since his 2014 debut. He has 147 strikeouts in 120 2/3 innings this season while going 8-8 with a 3.95 ERA at age 38.
ESPN reports he is chasing the second-fastest path to 2,000 K's by games. Randy Johnson got there in his 262nd game; Clayton Kershaw needed 277. By innings, Chris Sale holds the record at 1,626, with Yu Darvish second at 1,697 1/3.
If he reaches the mark, deGrom would become the ninth active player and 94th pitcher all-time to do so. He would be the fourth this season after Kevin Gausman, Sonny Gray, and Aaron Nola.
Why did Jacob deGrom miss his normal turn?
Last Thursday against the Los Angeles Angels, deGrom lasted only two innings in a 7-0 loss. He struck out three but allowed two runs and five hits, including a 32-pitch second inning, before exiting with triceps fatigue.
Schumaker said deGrom has also been managing left hip and glute problems over the past month. Extra rest, the manager said, should help given everything on his plate late in the year, even if the ace did not want the day off.
Injuries have long shaped his career after Cy Young seasons with the New York Mets in 2018 and 2019. He made only 35 starts from 2021 to 2024 and missed most of 2023 and 2024 following elbow surgery after six starts in his first Texas season.
What does the milestone mean for his legacy?
Crossing 2,000 strikeouts would place Jacob deGrom among a small group of modern aces still chasing history. Justin Verlander leads active pitchers with 3,554 K's; Nolan Ryan remains the all-time leader with 5,714.
Thursday's start is first about health and then about history. Two more punchouts would lock in a career landmark few pitchers ever reach.