Overview
- DeGrom, slated to pitch Saturday against the Phillies, was scratched hours before first pitch with neck stiffness and left-hander Jacob Latz started in his place.
- After the scratch, deGrom played catch from 120 feet on Sunday, and manager Skip Schumaker said he is expected to start Tuesday or Wednesday in Baltimore.
- DeGrom said he woke up with a stiff neck on the right side and called the move precautionary to avoid a minor issue turning into a longer absence.
- Latz’s emergency start came in a game the Rangers won 5-4 in 10 innings, easing immediate pressure on a rotation built around its top starters.
- The club and reporters noted the issue appears unrelated to deGrom’s pitching arm, a key distinction given his past elbow and shoulder troubles despite a durable 2025 with 30 starts and a 2.97 ERA.