Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom is set to make his 2024 season debut on Friday against the Seattle Mariners, marking his first MLB start in 503 days after undergoing Tommy John surgery in April 2023. DeGrom, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, expressed excitement and nerves about returning to the mound, stating he always struggles to sleep before a game. He completed four rehab outings, allowing only one earned run and striking out 15 batters, demonstrating his readiness to rejoin the Rangers' rotation. The team has also seen the debut of rookie pitcher Kumar Rocker this week, alongside three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer scheduled to pitch soon. Rangers GM Chris Young praised deGrom's perseverance through the challenging recovery process, highlighting the hard work involved in rehabilitation. DeGrom is eager to prove his capabilities after such a lengthy absence from the game.