DeGrom struck out three while pitching two perfect innings against Kansas City. The right-hander threw 31 pitches, 21 for strikes.

Langford served as the designated hitter against a Royals split squad. He singled in the first and then walked and scored on Kevin Pillar’s sacrifice fly in the fourth. He also grounded out in the fifth.

The 36-year-old deGrom has started only nine games for the Rangers since signing a $185 million, five-year contract in free agency in December 2022. Coming back from Tommy John surgery, the two-time NL Cy Young Award winner had a 1.69 ERA in three September starts last year.

Langford had been slowed by a Grade 1 strain in his left oblique. The 23-year-old outfielder hit .253 with 16 homers, 74 RBIs and 19 steals last year during his rookie season.

Langford was selected by Texas with the No. 4 pick in the 2023 amateur draft.