Jacob deGrom gets pulled from Rangers debut early, allows his 1st career Opening Day ERs

Jacob deGrom's talent can't be denied. It's why the Texas Rangers sprung for him while chipping away at the new overhauled and restructured rotation. He looked like the pitcher to deliver Rangers fans the season of their dreams. However, Opening Day presented a different story.

DeGrom's first televised start in a Rangers uniform came against the Philadelphia Phillies and probably didn't offer fans the excitement they expected. Starting on a high note with a strikeout, the wheels began to fall off of what was ultimately a rough debut for veteran pitcher.

After 3.2 rocky innings on Thursday, deGrom was pulled from the field with 6 hits and five earned runs allowed. The right-hander’s six extra base hits (three doubles, two triples and a home run) were the most he has yielded in a start throughout his nine-year career.

In another first, Alec Bohm became the first time right-handed hitter to homer on an elevated 99 mph fastball from deGrom when he rounded the bases in the second inning.

The 35-year-old struck out seven batters and his ERA now stands at 12.27. Across his first three career Opening Day starts, which saw zero runs allowed over 17 innings pitched, deGrom's five earned runs Thursday were uncharacteristic.

After the two-time National League Cy Young winner left the game with his club down 5–0, the Rangers were able to score nine runs in the bottom of the fourth. Coming out with the 11-7 win, the Rangers' 1-0 start marks the team's first .500 night since August 15, 2020.

DeGrom left the New York Mets after nine years to join the Rangers on a 5-year, $185 million deal this offseason. Since 2019, multiple injuries have prevented the star from pitching a complete season. The Rangers currently boast a version of deGrom that seems to be healthy, aside from the left side tightness that delayed his first spring training appearance.