Texas Rangers ace Jacob deGrom left Thursday night’s start against the Los Angeles Angels after just two innings because of triceps tightness, and now Texas is waiting to see how serious it gets. According to The Dallas Morning News’ Shawn McFarland, deGrom will play catch before Sunday’s matchup with the Athletics at Sutter Health Park and will be monitored over the next few days.
The Rangers are hoping that ends with no injured list stint. If it doesn’t, though, the timing could get messy fast. Nathan Eovaldi is already on the IL, so losing deGrom too would put Texas in a rough spot.
There is at least one encouraging sign on the pitching front. Right-hander Jack Leiter has just started a rehab assignment with Triple-A Round Rock after being out since June 21 with a right ankle injury that required surgery. Even so, if deGrom needs to miss time, the Rangers would still need a short-term answer before Leiter is ready.
One possible stopgap is left-hander Jordan Montgomery. Texas activated him from the injured list on Aug. 7 after he hadn’t pitched since 2024 with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Montgomery signed a one-year, $1.25 million deal with the Rangers in February, and he has made two bullpen appearances this season, giving up seven runs over six innings. Those numbers aren’t pretty, but the Rangers could still call on him for a start or two if needed.
Montgomery’s early work in Texas has been rough, but the organization knows what he can be at his best. Not long ago, he played a major role in the Rangers’ first World Series title in franchise history. Texas would love to find even a flash of that version again.
Another option is much more aggressive: right-hander David Davalillo. The 25-year-old has not made his MLB debut, but he is Texas’ No. 15 overall prospect according to MLB Pipeline.
Over his last six starts with Triple-A Round Rock, Davalillo has put up a 2.39 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 26 1/3 innings. In his most recent outing, he worked six scoreless frames, struck out seven, allowed one hit and didn’t walk anyone.
Davalillo brings a low-80s splitter, a strong low-80s slider, an upper-70s curveball and two- and four-seam fastballs that sit in the 92-97 mph range. His command is usually a strength, though his walk rate has been higher than normal this year.
He is already on the Rangers’ 40-man roster, which means Texas would only need to clear a spot on the 26-man roster if it decided to bring him up.
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