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Jacob deGrom to have Tommy John surgery, ending first season with Texas Rangers

The Jacob deGrom era in Texas will be put on hold yet again.

The Texas Rangers ace needs Tommy John surgery to repair a tear in his right ulnar collateral ligament, general manager Chris Young announced Tuesday. The injury ends what has been a short first season for the recently acquired right-hander.

Young said the decision on surgery came after an MRI on deGrom’s ailing right elbow. The Dallas Morning News first reported the injury a day after the team transferred deGrom to the 60-day injured list for right elbow inflammation.

deGrom, who signed a five-year, $185 million deal with Texas this offseason, made six starts during the 2023 season, his last one being April 28 against the New York Yankees. He left that game with right forearm tightness and was placed on the injured list the following day.

He finishes the season 2-0 with a 2.67 ERA, striking out 45 batters while giving up only four walks.

Jacob deGrom during his start against the Phillies.

Jacob deGrom during his start against the Phillies.

The two-time NL Cy Young winner spent the first nine seasons of his MLB career with the Mets. He had Tommy John surgery in 2010, months after the Mets selected him in the 2010 MLB Draft. He was plagued with elbow inflammation in 2021 and a scapula injury delayed his 2022 season.

The Rangers have been one of the hottest teams in baseball the first half of this season, leading the AL West with a 39-20 record.

Contributing: Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jacob deGrom’s Tommy John surgery ends 2023 MLB season with Rangers