The Texas Rangers received good news about their right-handed ace pitcher, Max Scherzer. According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, Scherzer is healing well from his December back surgery and may not start the season on the 60-day injured list, allowing him to return to the rotation in May.
In addition to that exciting news, Scherzer was spotted playing catch on Wednesday, according to Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News. The three-time Cy Young champion is in the early stages of his throwing regimen while recovering from a herniated disc in his back. Manager Bruce Bochy believed that the eight-time All-Star would return in June. However, it may happen sooner than they had intended.The 39-year-old was cleared for baseball activity earlier this month and appears to be making good progress.
Scherzer joined the Rangers in July 2023, at the MLB trading deadline. He started eight games for the Rangers, finishing 4-2 with a 3.20 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 45 innings. He appeared in three postseason games in 2023, helping the Rangers win their first World Series championship in franchise history.
Injuries have been a consistent storyline for Scherzer over the last few seasons. As a Dodger in the 2021 postseason, he suffered from a “dead arm.” In 2022, he suffered further oblique problems while playing with the New York Mets. It was a shoulder issue sustained late last season while with Texas.
This offseason, Scherzer had back surgery, but he appears to be making good improvement.
The two-time World Series winner has already achieved nearly everything a pitcher can do in Major League Baseball.
However, he wants to assist the Rangers accomplish something unprecedented since the 1998-2000 Yankees: win back-to-back World Series victories.
Scherzer is eager to get back on the mound and help the Rangers to another championship. It will not be easy, as many teams in their division and throughout the league have reloaded. Nonetheless, the excitement surrounding his homecoming is evident.
The Rangers will also wait for the return of their other ace pitchers, Jacob deGrom and Tyler Mahle. The Rangers’ arms are severely depleted, but if they can get healthy, they will attempt to repeat as MLB champions.
The Rangers’ season begins on Thursday, March 28, when they host the Chicago Cubs for three games. Nathan Eovaldi will start in place of Scherzer and deGrom.
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