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Texas Rangers Spring Training Day 1 Recap

The Texas opened up spring training and made some news by updating where they stand on signing a certain left-hander.

By Michael Sanders |
Chicago Cubs v Texas Rangers
Chicago Cubs v Texas Rangers / Dylan Buell/GettyImages
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The sun rose in the Arizona desert as pitchers and catchers reported for the World Series champion Texas Rangers. The familiar sounds of catchers mitts popping filled the air in Surprise, Arizona. The Texas Rangers made sure that people would know that they are still World Champions by the signage they added around the complex.

It was a good start to spring training as nearly every pitcher has reported on time. Free agent signee David Robertson being the lone exception. Chris Young met with the media, bullpens were thrown, and players were interviewed. It was a full first workout day for the pitchers, catchers, and any position players that have reported early. These three stories dominated the first day of camp.

1. Jordan Montgomery likely not coming back to Texas

This has been an ongoing story the entire offseason. Chris Young was asked about it by the media in Surprise and had this to say as reported by Jeff Wilson of Texas Rangers today.

Young did not exactly close the door, but he did not leave much room either for a reunion with the big left-hander. I think the luxury tax does play into this as well as the uncertainty with the TV contract beyond this season as Young mentioned. That will certainly put more focus on Adrian Sampson, Cody Bradford, Owen White, Jack Leiter, and Zak Kent this spring training as Texas tries to round out their rotation and have depth beyond the first five starters.

2. Jacob deGrom starting his comeback

A year ago the big story on the first day of camp was about deGrom and his inability to throw because of a lat injury in his left side that flared up and caused him to not throw for the first week of camp. This year the big story is about deGrom announcing that he started throwing on Monday and planned to throw in camp this week. That is a huge first step in his recovery from Tommy John surgery. Still a long way to go before we see deGrom on a mound in a Texas Rangers game, but it is a good sign nonetheless.

Contrary to last year deGrom reports he is feeling great and according to Stefan Stevenson he plans to throw again on Friday,

The health of Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer, and Tyler Mahle will be among the big stories for the Texas Rangers this entire season until they are activated and make starts. If deGrom can come back fully healthy around midseason that would greatly improve Texas' chances of repeating as champions. We will continue to follow news about deGrom throughout spring training and into the regular season.

3. Dane Dunning continues to tease about a new pitch

The clubhouse was open today and Bruce Bochy met with the media and Dane Dunning took some questions as well. He made news at Fanfest a couple of weeks ago when he teased he might be throwing a new pitch this season. He has been working on this throughout the offseason and was asked about that near the end of this clip,

Dunning is coming off his best season. He started in the bullpen and finished with maybe the best season among the Texas Rangers' starters. Dunning finished 2023 with a 12-7 record, 3.70 ERA, and set a career high in strikeouts with 140 in 172 2/3 innings. He is looking to take that next step from being a good pitcher to a potentially great pitcher. Whatever this new pitch is could play a part into him taking that next step. Dunning last season already threw four pitches primarily. He threw a sinkers, slider, cutter, and changeup. He would also sprinkle in a curveball and four-seam fastball. I am wondering if this is going to be a two-seam fastball or maybe a forkball. That will be something to watch for when games officially get underway on February 23rd.

It was a nice sunny day and the Texas Rangers have begun their defense of the franchise's first World Series. Opening Day is almost six weeks away.

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