Jacob deGrom expected to start Thursday for Rangers after triceps fatigue

Jacob deGrom is expected to start Thursday for the Texas Rangers against the Washington Nationals, per MLB Trade Rumors, after departing his previous outing with triceps fatigue.

The Rangers pitcher has navigated multiple physical concerns over the course of the 2026 season, including hip and glute issues in addition to the triceps fatigue that prompted his early exit. The specifics of his current status—whether he has been placed on the injured list, whether he has undergone any imaging, or what his availability window might be—remain unconfirmed.

What happened

DeGrom left his last appearance with triceps fatigue, per MLB Trade Rumors. The Rangers are expecting him to make his next start Thursday against the Nationals at Globe Life Field, with Andrew Alvarez probable for Washington. The pitcher has also dealt with hip and glute issues at various points during the 2026 season, adding to the injury concerns the club has monitored.

The triceps fatigue represents the latest in a series of physical setbacks for deGrom this year. The hip and glute problems surfaced earlier in the season, though the timing and duration of those issues have not been detailed. Whether the triceps concern is related to the earlier lower-body ailments or represents a separate development is not known.

Why it matters

The Rangers sit at 71-73 (.493), in second place in the AL West, 2 games back of the division leader, with a one-game winning streak. They rank 5th in the Wild Card race, 2.0 games relative to the cut line—meaning the final stretch of the season carries playoff implications. DeGrom's availability and health directly affect the club's rotation stability as the season enters its final weeks.

If triceps fatigue forces another early exit or sidelines him entirely, the Rangers would need to lean on MacKenzie Gore and Cody Bradford in the immediate rotation, with Gore probable for Friday against the Los Angeles Angels and Bradford slated for Saturday against the same opponent. The club's margin for error in the Wild Card chase leaves little room for extended absences from front-line starters.

The Rangers have already weathered deGrom's hip and glute concerns this season. Adding triceps fatigue to that list complicates the club's ability to project his workload and effectiveness down the stretch. A healthy deGrom changes the calculus of a playoff push; an unavailable or compromised version forces the front office and coaching staff to recalibrate expectations for September.

Where the club stands

Texas enters Thursday's game at 71-73, trailing the AL West leader by 2 games and sitting 2.0 games behind the final Wild Card spot. The Rangers have won their last game, but the schedule ahead offers little breathing room. After Thursday's matchup with Washington, they host the Angels for a two-game set Friday and Saturday before the calendar turns to the final weeks of the regular season.

The rotation picture beyond deGrom features Gore on Friday and Bradford on Saturday, both facing a Los Angeles club that has been inconsistent but capable of exploiting depth concerns. The Rangers' ability to secure wins in this stretch depends heavily on whether deGrom can deliver a quality start Thursday and whether the rotation can hold together if he cannot.

The Wild Card race remains tight, with Texas sitting in fifth position and needing to leapfrog multiple clubs to secure a postseason berth. Every start from a front-line pitcher carries outsized weight in this context, and deGrom's health status will shape the club's playoff odds as much as any other single factor.

What we don't know yet

The nature and severity of deGrom's triceps fatigue remains unclear. It is not known whether the fatigue will affect his ability to pitch Thursday, whether he will be placed on any form of the injured list, or what the Rangers' contingency plan might be if he is unable to take the ball. The timeline for his return to full availability, if he does not start as expected, has not been reported.

The relationship between the triceps issue and the hip and glute problems he has dealt with earlier in the season—whether they are connected or separate concerns—is also unconfirmed. Whether the Rangers have conducted imaging on the triceps, what that imaging might have revealed, and whether the medical staff has imposed any restrictions on his throwing program are all unaddressed.

If deGrom does start Thursday, it is not known whether the Rangers will limit his pitch count, monitor specific velocity thresholds, or plan for a shortened outing as a precautionary measure. The club has not announced any roster moves to add rotation depth, but whether such a move is under consideration remains unreported.

What to watch

Whether deGrom takes the mound Thursday as scheduled will be the immediate indicator of his status. If he does start, how he performs and whether he completes a full outing—or exits early again—will signal the severity of the triceps issue. The Rangers' medical staff decisions in the coming days will shape how the team manages his workload down the stretch and whether any roster moves become necessary to cover rotation depth.

If deGrom is scratched or placed on the injured list, the Rangers will need to identify a replacement starter for Thursday's game. The club's 40-man roster and minor-league depth will come into focus, as will the front office's willingness to adjust the rotation order or call up reinforcements. Gore and Bradford would likely shoulder additional responsibility, and the club's ability to navigate the Angels series without deGrom would become a critical test of its postseason viability.

The broader question is whether deGrom can stay healthy enough to contribute meaningfully in September. The hip, glute, and now triceps concerns paint a picture of a pitcher managing multiple physical issues simultaneously. Whether those issues are manageable or season-threatening will determine not only his availability but also the Rangers' realistic chances of reaching October.