There isn’t much that Bruce Bochy hasn’t seen as he enters his 28th season behind an MLB dugout.

However, having the best pitcher on the planet now fully healthy after his second Tommy John surgery isn’t something he’s run into often.

2025 might be the first time as Bochy will have to manage Jacob deGrom as he returns from his second surgery that most pitchers only endure once.

“It’s easy to do that,” Bochy said when asked about the far-gone hypothetical of deGrom throwing 250+ innings.

“We’ll probably have to take it away from him at times but, I just think you make sure and honor the days off with these guys and not just Jacob, we always do that with all these guys;”.

As for deGrom, he’s fully healthy entering a season for the first time since signing with the Rangers before the 2023 season.

“The goal is to get out there as many times as I can,” deGrom said at Rangers Fan Fest in January.

“I’m sure we’d have to be smart with it. We don’t want to jump to 200-and-something innings, but I’d like to be able to go out there and make 30 [starts]. That’s the goal.

deGrom’s first few starts in Spring Training will be fascinating to watch. You never quite know what a pitcher will look like after his second T.J. surgery.

However, according to Rangers starter Cody Bradford, things weren’t too different when the two threw a bullpen the day before pitchers and catchers report.

“His bullpen was super smooth, super easy, touching velos that I never ever touch in games which is insane but he makes the game look really easy and he spots up really well;” Bradford said.

Much of the Rangers’ rotation success hinges on deGrom at the top. Entering the 3rd year of a 5 year contract, Texas needs some results from the man they signed to be their ace.

If fully healthy, deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi will create one of the best 1-2 punches in all of baseball.

Not to mention with the Rangers’ rotation depth, deGrom will be leading one of the best full starting staffs in MLB.