Jacob deGrom is healthy. He is taking the risk on Opening Day, which ought to be the sole inference drawn from it. However, in a surprising twist, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy has other plans for Game 1. His Nathan Eovaldi card move has raised eyebrows. Is Texas utilizing their ace too cautiously? Is this a smart long-period approach? In addition, Opening Day just become much more intriguing with Eovaldi scheduled to play against his old team.

Jacob deGrom’s comeback from Tommy John surgery has been closely watched. In June 2023, the two-time Cy Young winner had surgery. The star’s upgrade has been completed ahead of schedule, despite the previous assumption that his return would occur in mid-to-late 2024. deGrom is anticipated to participate in games early this season and has already thrown bullpen sessions. Others thought he would return to his position as the Rangers’ ace because of his domination, featuring a career 2.53 ERA and a 10.9 K/9 rate. However, Texas is taking a different approach.

Manager Bruce Bochy confirmed that Nathan Eovaldi will start Opening Day against his former team, the Boston Red Sox, while Jacob deGrom will begin the season at the back of the rotation. Texas is deliberately easing deGrom in to safeguard their $185 million investment. Throughout the Rangers’ World Series run, Eovaldi, a seasoned workhorse, guided their rotation. However, given that deGrom is said to be in good health, is this an excessively cautious approach or just a necessary precaution?

Eovaldi earned this nod. He guided the Rangers to wins, 170.2 innings pitched, 166 strikeouts and quality starts in 2024, while recording a 3.80 ERA and winning 12 games. He pitched 43 consecutive innings without a walk and has two games with 10 strikeouts. Although his league average was 49.9 percent, he threw 52.4 percent of his pitches in the zone, highlighting his exceptional command. In addition, he threw at 44 percent, however, league average was 39. While deGrom at full power is a good talent in the game, Eovaldi’s durability and consistency make him the safer Opening Day choice.

What this decision says related to Texas’ season approach

This move is not just related to Opening Day—it is related to safeguarding their long-period investment. Jacob deGrom has made just nine starts in two seasons with Texas. He has not topped 15 starts since 2021. In addition, his elbow injury is a serious issue and the team is right to be cautious. The Rangers can not afford another setback. H

owever, deGrom has the capability to alter everything if he regains whatever remains of his best form. As one fan said, “if deGrom is anything close to his peak form, everybody is in for a show“. His powerful command and velocity remain unmatched—the Rangers are just playing the long game.

Rangers fans are split. Some say that if deGrom is healthy, he needs to be the ace from day one. However, some counter that Eovaldi has earned the nod after guiding the team to a championship. One fan said that deGrom “has not proven anything as a Ranger because of injuries“. However, another said, “Eovaldi has earned it in so many ways and brought it home in Game 5 of the WS“. Some are indistinctive, saying, “I do not care whether deGrom is first and fifth, as long as he is healthy“. Then there is the financial aspect—one fan bluntly highlighted, “look at their contracts, then you let me know.”

For the time being, the Rangers are being cautious. However, they will ultimately need to release deGrom. Texas could have the league’s most dangerous rotation if he regains just a little portion of his supremacy. Eovaldi is in charge till then and establishes the tone for a club trying to win the championship again. Will Texas regret not utilizing their ace sooner? Will this cautious approach pay off? Tell us what you think.