How concerned should Rangers fans be about Jacob deGrom's injury?

Ranger Nation was holding its collective breath just a few hours before game time when it was announced their ace and rotation anchor, Jacob deGrom, who has an extensive history of major arm injuries, would be scratched from his scheduled start against the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday.

Jacob Latz got the spot start in his place and tossed four scoreless innings. The Rangers won the game 5-4 in extras to even their record at 1-1, overcoming a collapse by the bullpen in the bottom of the ninth.

DeGrom was pulled because of a sore neck that seemed to come out of nowhere and cause him to miss his first start of the season.

Naturally, everyone from Chris Young to Skip Schumaker to die-hard Rangers fans wanted to know just how serious the ailment is and whether it would cause an extended absence from the rotation.

Jacob deGrom woke up with a sore neck

The official listing for deGrom being scratched is being listed as a sore neck. It is something that the two-time Cy Young Award winner has dealt with before, according to RSN field reporter Laura Stickells of the RSN network and Rangers beat writer Kennedi Landry.

"I took an early bus (to the stadium) to get some heat and laser therapy, but (wasn't able to go)." DeGrom also shared that he has had similar issues with his neck throughout his career, and it typically only lasts a day or two.

He also acknowledged that it was largely a precautionary move on behalf of Schumaker and the team doctors to make sure the flare-up didn't turn into a longer-term setback that would cause him to miss several weeks.

DeGrom and the Rangers hope he can make his first start in Baltimore early next week

Once the Rangers are done with their three-game set in Philly, the team heads down the eastern seaboard to Baltimore for three games.

As of now, the flamethrowing right-hander is scheduled to take the mound on Tuesday against Zach Eflin, per ESPN.

Barring any setbacks, it appears that deGrom and the Rangers have dodged a serious injury and any kind of IL stint, and will get their stud back on the field in a few days.

It is way too soon for injury scares like this that could potentially derail the 2026 season before it even starts, so this is the best possible news that we could expect from a strange flare-up of an injury.