History Awaits: deGrom Chasing 2,000 K’s Thursday
Jacob deGrom Chases 2,000 Strikeouts: What You Need to Know
The Big News
Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom is just two strikeouts away from joining an exclusive club. He’s scheduled to start Thursday night against the Washington Nationals, giving him a chance to become the 94th pitcher in baseball history to reach 2,000 career strikeouts.
Important Point: deGrom currently sits at 1,998 strikeouts. He needs just two more to hit the milestone.
Why This Matters
Speed Records on the Line
deGrom isn’t just trying to reach 2,000—he’s chasing history:
| Record Type | Current Record Holder | deGrom’s Pace |
|---|---|---|
| Fastest by Games | Randy Johnson (262 games) | Would be 2nd at 271 games |
| Fastest by Innings | Chris Sale (1,626 innings) | Currently at 1,660⅓ innings |
Elite Company
If he reaches 2,000 Thursday, deGrom would be:
- The 9th active player with 2,000+ strikeouts
- The 4th pitcher this season to do it (following Kevin Gausman, Sonny Gray, and Aaron Nola)
The Comeback Story
Recent Setback
Last Thursday against the Los Angeles Angels, deGrom left after only 2 innings due to triceps fatigue. He threw 32 pitches in a rough second inning, giving up 2 runs and 5 hits.
Health Concerns
The 38-year-old has been managing multiple issues:
- Triceps fatigue (most recent)
- Left hip issues
- Glute issues
Smart Management
Rangers manager Skip Schumaker gave deGrom extra rest days—skipping his normal turn in the rotation. Schumaker explained:
"He’s got a lot going on … so any extra days right now at this time of the year for our pitchers are huge. But for deGrom to get the extra rest, I know he didn’t want it, but for everything going on, hopefully it’s beneficial."
Good Signs
- Completed a bullpen session Tuesday
- "Feels good, so good to go" per Schumaker
- No specific pitch limitations for Thursday
- Team will monitor him between innings
deGrom’s Career at a Glance
| Stat | Number |
|---|---|
| Career Strikeouts | 1,998 |
| Innings Pitched | 1,660⅓ |
| Games Started | 271 |
| Debut Year | 2014 |
| Age | 38 |
| 2026 Record | 8-8 |
| 2026 ERA | 3.95 |
| 2026 Strikeouts | 147 in 120⅔ innings |
Major Achievements
- 2× Cy Young Award Winner (2018, 2019 with New York Mets)
- Led National League in strikeouts in 2018, 2019, and pandemic-shortened 2020
- Injury struggles: Only 35 starts total from 2021–2024
- Missed most of 2023–2024 after elbow surgery
- Signed with Texas Rangers, made only 6 starts in first season before surgery
The All-Time Strikeout Leaders
To put 2,000 in perspective:
| Rank | Player | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nolan Ryan | 5,714 (retired 1993 at age 46) |
| 7 | Don Sutton | 3,574 |
| 8 | Justin Verlander (active) | 3,554 |
| 94 | Jacob deGrom (pending) | 2,000 |
Important Point: Justin Verlander (age 43) is the active leader and 8th all-time. He’s retiring after this season but has only made one start in 2026 due to hip and hamstring injuries.
What to Watch Thursday
Keys to the Game
- First inning – Will deGrom get the 2 strikeouts he needs immediately?
- Pitch count – Team will monitor closely after last week’s 32-pitch inning
- Velocity & movement – Signs the triceps/hip issues are truly resolved
- Innings length – Can he go 5+ innings like a normal start?
Historical Context
- Randy Johnson: 2,000th K in game #262 (fastest ever)
- Clayton Kershaw: 2,000th K in game #277 (2nd fastest)
- deGrom: Would reach it in game #271 (would be 2nd fastest by games)
Summary
Jacob deGrom, the 38-year-old Texas Rangers ace, takes the mound Thursday night two strikeouts shy of 2,000 for his career. After leaving his last start early with triceps fatigue—and dealing with hip/glute issues—he got extra rest and passed a bullpen test. If he strikes out two Nationals batters, he’ll become the 2nd-fastest pitcher ever to 2,000 strikeouts by games started (behind only Randy Johnson) and join an elite group of 93 pitchers in MLB history. It’s a remarkable milestone for a pitcher who’s battled significant injuries since 2021.
FAQ
What exactly is a strikeout?
A strikeout happens when a pitcher throws three strikes to a batter during one at-bat. The batter doesn’t put the ball in play—it’s a pure pitcher vs. hitter win.
Why is 2,000 strikeouts a big deal?
Only 93 pitchers in 150+ years of baseball have done it. It requires elite stuff, durability, and longevity. Most pitchers never come close.
Has deGrom ever been this close to a milestone before?
Yes! He’s a two-time Cy Young winner (best pitcher in the league) and led the NL in strikeouts three straight years (2018–2020). But injuries derailed him for nearly four full seasons.
What’s the difference between "fastest by games" and "fastest by innings"?
- Games: How many starts it took (deGrom would be 2nd all-time)
- Innings: How many total innings pitched (Chris Sale holds this record; deGrom won’t catch it)
Can deGrom catch Nolan Ryan’s all-time record of 5,714?
Realistically, no. Ryan’s record is nearly 3,000 strikeouts ahead. At 38 with injury history, deGrom would need ~6 more elite seasons. But reaching 2,000 is still Hall of Fame-worthy territory.