Off to the best start in team history, a postseason appearance becomes a more and more realistic probability for the Rangers. That vision, however, no longer includes expected ace Jacob deGrom. At least not for this year.

A follow-up MRI Tuesday confirmed the Rangers’ worst fears about deGrom’s troublesome elbow: There is a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament. He will require Tommy John surgery and will be out until at least until the middle of 2024.

It will extend deGrom’s long stretch of seasons interrupted by injuries to four. He pitched only 92 innings in 2021 with the Mets due to right forearm tightness and only 64 innings last season due to a stress reaction in his right scapula. He has pitched just 30.1 innings in six starts this season for the Rangers after signing a five-year, $185 million contract in November.

DeGrom had already been on the 15-day IL since April 29 with right elbow inflammation. The move means the first day he will be eligible to return is June 28. GM Chris Young couldn’t say that deGrom had a setback in his recovery from the injury, but nor could he say eliminate that. The Rangers will do a second MRI on his elbow on Tuesday to get a better idea.
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“I believe he’s the best pitcher in the world when he’s healthy,” Young said. “When he’s on the mound, it’s just captivating. But we want to proceed cautiously and do what’s right by him. That’s the biggest factor in this move. We want to make sure the inflammation is gone. The [symptoms] have come and gone. He’s had good days and bad. It’s not been linear.”