Jacob deGrom out for season to undergo surgery

The Texas Rangers are stronger than they have been in years, but their push for the pennant just got a little tougher, with one of the key members of their insanely talented rotation out for the season. Jacob deGrom, two time Cy Young winner, will undergo surgery to repair a tear in his right ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), making the Rangers’ tenure at the top of the AL West just that much more difficult to maintain.

Rangers General Manager Chris Young announced that team physician Dr Keith Meister will perform the surgery and deGrom spoke to the press, expressing his own frustration with the turn of events.

“Anytime you get told you’re not gonna be able to be out there for a little while, it’s tough,” said deGrom. “I went through this before and know what it takes to get back, so that’s the goal. To go out there and rehab the best I can and be around to help any way I can. We’ve got a special group here and to not be able to be out there and help them win, it stinks.”

deGrom underwent Tommy John surgery back in 2010 and has suffered this season with elbow inflammation, causing him to be placed on the injured list last month. It now appears that everyone’s worst fears are confirmed and deGrom’s season will be over.

Young spoke of the Rangers doing what is right by deGrom above all else, saying, “It’s obviously a tough blow for Jacob, and certainly for the Rangers, but we do feel this is what is right for Jacob in his career. We’re confident he’ll make a full recovery and it’s unfortunate the way things have gone but nonetheless, we now have clarity and can move forward and have him back sometime by the end of next season, but no promises on the timetable.”

deGrom has been a bright star in the Rangers rotation this season, pairing with a sensational Nathan Eovaldi to make the Rangers one of the most formidable defenses in MLB. deGrom has posted a 2.67 ERA with 45 strikeouts against four walks during this foreshortened season.

The Rangers are currently at the top of the AL West, sitting 4.5 games ahead of the second-place Astros. Texas’ record of 40-20 is second only to the Tampa Bay Rays in MLB.

deGrom was frustrated over his circumstances, but proud of the rest of the rotation, saying, “You want to be out there and like I said, we’ve got a special group. I love being around these guys and that’s where you feel like a letdown. You’re letting those guys down. But Dane [Dunning] has stepped up and done a great job and the pitching staff has been unbelievable. I just have to be here and root them on. That’s all I can do.”

The Rangers will meet the Cardinals in game three of their series followed by a three-game clash with the Rays in Tampa over the weekend.