Texas Rangers pitching prospect Kumar Rocker faces hitters for first time in over a year
ARLINGTON — Texas Rangers pitching prospect Kumar Rocker reached a significant milestone in his rehab journey as he faced hitters for the first time in more than a year. The highly anticipated moment took place at the team’s spring training facility in Surprise, Ariz., where Rocker delivered 20 pitches to hitters with his fastball clocking in the 94-96 mph range, reaching a top speed of 97 mph.
The Rangers’ first-round draft pick in 2022, Rocker underwent surgery on May 22 last year, marking a challenging period of recovery and rehabilitation. However, his recent performance on the mound has sparked optimism among team officials and fans alike, with Assistant General Manager Ross Fenstermaker describing Rocker’s throwing session as “solid.”
In a parallel development, star pitcher Jacob deGrom has also made progress in his recovery process. Following a brief “de-load” period, deGrom has resumed throwing, gradually increasing the intensity and distance of his throws. The upcoming milestones for deGrom include incorporating a “pull-down” motion in his training regimen, a crucial step towards returning to full pitching form.
As the Rangers continue their journey through the season, the progress of Rocker and deGrom serves as a beacon of hope for the team and its supporters. Stay tuned for more updates on their recovery and anticipated return to the mound.
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