​Texas Rangers manager Skip Schumaker disclosed that Jacob deGrom was dealing with a mild left glute strain, according to MLB.com. The news hit Rangers fans hard when deGrom was scratched from his final scheduled start on Sunday, July 12, forcing a quick reshuffling of the rotation just as the All-Star break loomed. The timing isn’t ideal, but at least the club can take a breather and regroup with the break beginning the following day. If deGrom’s lingering issues persist after next week, there would be cause for real concern. For now, both deGrom and Schumaker appear unfazed, at least publicly.
It’s hard to label anyone as more cursed than the 38-year-old ace. There’s no denying deGrom’s brilliance, but his Hall of Fame-caliber talent has repeatedly been interrupted by injuries. He just wrapped up a 2025 season in which he logged 30 starts—the first time he reached that threshold since 2019. It’s worth recalling that his first two seasons with the Rangers yielded only nine starts, and he totalled just 47 appearances over a five-year span (2020–2024).
To put his latest comment into context: on Tuesday, July 7, deGrom said, “I think I’ll be fine. I think we’ll manage in between. Honestly, I think sometimes off-days make you feel a little funny. I think we’ll stay on top of it this week, and I think I’ll be good to go.” He wasn’t ready to go in the end, but right now, there’s no shortage of reasons to be cautious about his health.
When Schumaker faced the lineup changes on July 12, tackling a rotation shuffle was far from the Rangers’ only concern. The club has invested $185 million in deGrom, and another injury tangle could shift the entire trajectory of their season. “You never want any of your players to feel anything, especially Jacob deGrom,” Schumaker said. “I think, obviously, if there’s anything with the hip or lower half or arm, you’re definitely concerned. You never know until a couple more days of rehab and how he feels. So I think the All-Star break is at the right time for him to recover, and hopefully it’s shorter right after the All-Star break than longer.”
The immediate plan is to avoid a stint on the Injured List, but the stance remains flexible. DeGrom’s injury history speaks for itself, and the Rangers understandably proceed with caution. Heading into the All-Star break, the severity of the setback remains uncertain, but there is optimism that a substantial period of rest could do the trick.
As fans digest the latest update, there’s no shortage of topics for conversation within Rangers Nation. The All-Star break offers a window for rest and reflection, and the team will monitor deGrom’s progress closely. If he can return after the break with renewed health, the Rangers’ rotation could stabilize quickly; if not, the ripple effects could be significant across the pitching staff and the broader pursuit of a postseason bid.