In an unexpected turn of events, Rangers General Manager Chris Young has addressed the team’s rotation woes with a significant update.
According to Young, right-hander Max Scherzer, who has been on the road to recovery, encountered some discomfort in his right thumb following his initial rehab start. As a result, his anticipated second start will be postponed for a few days. Despite this setback, the team remains optimistic about Scherzer’s progress and hopes he will be ready for his next outing later this week.
Scherzer, at 39 years old, has been sidelined since the start of the season due to offseason back surgery. Despite initial projections suggesting a return in June, the Rangers opted not to transfer him to the 60-day injured list, indicating significant progress in his rehabilitation. Barring any complications from the thumb injury, a mid-May comeback seems plausible.
The Rangers’ pitching staff currently ranks 14th in the league, boasting a 3.87 ERA, largely fueled by strong performances from Nathan Eovaldi, Dane Dunning, and Jon Gray. However, setbacks like Cody Bradford’s rib injury and Andrew Heaney’s struggles have underscored the need for reinforcements. The addition of Michael Lorenzen has provided stability, but the imminent return of Scherzer would undoubtedly bolster the rotation.
Scherzer is not the only veteran pitcher on the Rangers’ road to recovery. Both Jacob deGrom and Tyler Mahle are expected to make their returns later in the season. Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News provided updates on Mahle’s rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery, noting his progress alongside Rangers prospect Kumar Rocker, who underwent the same procedure by the same surgeon, Dr. Keith Meister, coincidentally on the same day last year. While neither Mahle nor Rocker are yet ready to face live hitters, their steady progress offers hope for the Rangers’ pitching depth in the near future.
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