Jacob deGrom Reflects on Comeback Season, Eyes Big 2026

Rangers pitcher looks to reduce home runs and pitch deeper in 2024 after impressive 2023 return.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Jacob deGrom's 2023 comeback season with the Texas Rangers impressed, as he earned an All-Star nod, pitched enough innings to qualify for the ERA title for the first time this decade, and reached 1,700 career strikeouts faster than any pitcher in history. However, deGrom is focused on reducing the home runs he surrendered last season, which were nearly double his career average. He aims to increase his innings total in 2024 after undergoing his second Tommy John surgery and managing pitch counts carefully in 2023.

Why it matters

DeGrom's 2023 comeback is promising, but the thought among Rangers fans and analysts is what could happen if he stays healthy and reduces his homer rate. Could he contend for a third Cy Young Award at 38 years old? Even if winning a Cy Young seems ambitious, deGrom's typical response would be to accept it humbly, then return to focusing on improvements rather than dwelling on past injuries.

The details

Despite an impressive 12-8 record and a 2.97 ERA across 172 innings, deGrom surrendered 26 home runs—his second-highest single-season total and his highest rate per nine innings at 1.4. This was nearly double his career average of 0.8 homers per nine innings prior to the season. His fastball, often regarded as one of the best in the game, accounted for 16 of those home runs, the most he has ever given up on the pitch. Notably, deGrom allowed 10 homers in 244 at-bats when he was ahead in the count, representing an alarming rate four times higher than his previous career norm of 1%.

  • DeGrom returned to the mound in 2023.
  • DeGrom threw his first bullpen session of spring training in 2024.

The players

Jacob deGrom

A pitcher for the Texas Rangers who returned from injury in 2023 to earn an All-Star nod, pitch enough innings to qualify for the ERA title for the first time this decade, and reach 1,700 career strikeouts faster than any pitcher in history.

Rowdy Tellez

A former Seattle Mariner who hit a home run off deGrom on an 0-2 count, something that was rare in deGrom's career before 2023.

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What they’re saying

“There were just some misses over the middle of the zone. When I did miss, it seemed to be a home run. So I want to try to eliminate those. When I missed over the middle, there was damage. The homers. I can't stand them.”

— Jacob deGrom (theconwaybulletin.com)

“I always try to look at what I could do better. I think that's just kind of how I operate. It's always trying to figure out a way to get better and improve. Obviously, I was proud of making the 30 starts and being able to do that, but my mind just works very much like 'Oh, I wish I could have that start back or done this.' It's just me.”

— Jacob deGrom (theconwaybulletin.com)

What’s next

After undergoing his second Tommy John surgery and managing pitch counts carefully during 2023, deGrom aims to increase his innings total in 2024. While the Rangers may continue to limit his workload early in the season, it is anticipated that they might be more flexible than last year. His target remains around 200 innings, though that goal is more challenging amid current MLB trends.

The takeaway

DeGrom's 2023 comeback season was impressive, but he remains intensely focused on improving, particularly by reducing the home runs he surrendered. If he can stay healthy and build on last year's success, he could contend for a third Cy Young Award at 38 years old, cementing his legacy as one of the game's all-time greats.