Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom reached a career milestone on Friday, August 21, 2026, becoming the 95th pitcher in Major League Baseball history to record 2,000 strikeouts. The achievement came against the Washington Nationals, a team deGrom has faced frequently throughout his career.
DeGrom's historic strikeout occurred in his 272nd game and 1,661st inning pitched. This places him as the second-fastest pitcher to reach the 2,000-strikeout mark, trailing only Randy Johnson (262 games) and Chris Sale (1,626 innings pitched).
Despite battling injuries that have limited his recent innings, the 38-year-old pitcher delivered a strong performance. The milestone strikeout was a testament to his enduring velocity and skill.
DeGrom spent the majority of his career with the New York Mets, where he established himself as one of the most dominant pitchers of the 2010s, earning two Cy Young Awards in 2018 and 2019. During his nine seasons in New York, he accumulated 1,607 strikeouts, leading the franchise in career strikeouts per nine innings and ERA. His 2018 season, in particular, is remembered as one of the most dominant in MLB history, with a 1.70 ERA over 217 innings and 269 strikeouts.
Since joining the Texas Rangers, deGrom has continued to perform at a high level, even after undergoing his second Tommy John surgery in 2023. In 2025, his first full season post-surgery, he recorded 185 strikeouts with a 2.97 ERA, finishing eighth in Cy Young voting. His 2026 season has seen a higher ERA of 3.95 through 23 starts, his highest career average, yet the Rangers remain in contention for a wild-card spot. His presence is considered vital for the team's playoff aspirations.
Earlier this month, reports indicated that deGrom exercised his no-trade clause to remain with the Rangers, turning down interest from other teams, including the Braves.