Jacob deGrom strikes out four in long-awaited return to majors

Jacob deGrom’s start might’ve been abbreviated, but on Friday, he flashed some of the stuff that made him one of the best pitchers in all of baseball over the last decade.In his first start since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2023, deGrom struck out four in 3 2/3 scoreless innings for the Rangers against the Mariners.

He topped out at 98.7 mph, reaching at least 97 mph 20 times while also recording 10 swings and misses.After allowing a leadoff single in the first, he avoided trouble, striking out both Julio Rodriguez and Randy Arozarena.DeGrom’s night ended in the fourth after allowing a double and single, but reliever Walter Pennington worked out of trouble to keep Seattle off the board.Overall, the two-time Cy Young Award winner threw 41 of 61 pitches for strikes.“It’s been a long time,” the ex-Mets ace told reporters Thursday.“I’m excited to be back out there, really looking forward to tomorrow.”...