You included 2020, how kind of you!
He was still a 4.5 bWAR pitcher in 2021 with 92 IP.
Even with the COVID shortened 2020, deGrom pitched 104 more innings than Sale from 2020-2023.
An argument could have been made that he should have had his second TJS after getting injured in 2021, but he tried rehabbing and making it until the end of 2022 so that he could reach FA. He got surgery after signing his deal.
Also, 4 years ago was 2021 when he pitched 92 IP an amount NOT under 68 IP. If you were trying to say 4 of the last 5 then fine, but I'd argue that 68.1 IP is not UNDER 68 IP either.