Oct. 29, 2025
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Updated Nov. 13, 2025 at 8:53 p.m. CST
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He returned, left no doubts and now has some hardware to show for it.
Texas Rangers right-handed pitcher Jacob deGrom was named American League Comeback Player of the Year on Thursday night. He had previously won the same accolade in the Players Choice awards, announced by the MLBPA in October. The 37-year-old was an All-Star last season and anchored baseball’s best rotation in his first full season back from elbow surgery.
DeGrom yielded a 2.97 ERA (the sixth-lowest among qualified AL starters) in 172 2/3 innings (his most since the 2019 season) and recertified himself as one of baseball’s best arms after injuries wiped out the near-entirety of his first two seasons with the Rangers.
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The two-time Cy Young award winner underwent elbow surgery after just six appearances two years ago, sat sidelined while the club won the World Series and returned to make three starts at the tail end of the 2024 season.
He was among the team’s most durable players this season, avoided the injured list entirely, logged more innings than in his previous three seasons combined and made 30 starts while his workload and pitch count were carefully navigated to avoid significant wear and tear.
“I thought it was realistic,” deGrom said after his 30th start. “This game, it can be tough, and I missed a lot of time. It was a question of how many we could make. I set a goal for 30 and to run out there as many times as I could. I thought it was realistic and I’m happy that I was able to accomplish that goal.”
“Do I still have it?” After Jacob deGrom’s recovery from last year’s injury, we can confirm: He still has it.
Congratulations, Jacob, on being voted by the Players as the AL Comeback Player for this year’s Players Choice Awards!@Rangers | @CBSMornings pic.twitter.com/evGf6uaKTx
— MLBPA (@MLBPA) October 29, 2025
The Rangers signed deGrom to a five-year, $185 million contract prior to the 2023 season.
He’s the third Rangers player to win this award in the past decade, joining outfielder Hunter Pence (2019) and first baseman Prince Fielder (2015). Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young won it in 2014 with the Seattle Mariners.
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