The Texas Rangers pitching staff has been rocked by injuries over the past calendar year. Much of the team’s star power remains laid up due to injury.
However, one of the team’s legendary hurlers gave an update regarding his possible return to the starting rotation.
Max Scherzer, who was not expected to return to the Texas Rangers until mid-summer as he recovers from offseason back surgery, divulged a shocking revelation to reporters Monday. The 16-year MLB veteran spoke to reporters after throwing 25 pitches of live batting practice at Comerica Park in Detroit.
Afterward, he told reporters that his timeline to return may move up to early May rather than late June.
Scherzer Return Would be a Boon for Texas Rangers
Scherzer, who came to the Texas Rangers from the New York Mets in a deadline day trade, won his second World Series title with the team last autumn. He was shut down after making his third postseason start in Game 3 of the MLB championship and had surgery to correct a herniated disk in his back in December.
The eight-time All-Star initially hoped to be back before the season began, but that timeline was pushed out several months after surgery. Now, following Monday’s batting practice, he is moving it up considerably, telling reporters:
“We’re not ready to say a date, but we’re looking at early May in being able to come back.”
And it’s not just Scherzer being overly optimistic. Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy agreed with his star hurler’s assessment, telling reporters:
“We’re amazed at where he’s at at this point. I mean, we were looking at the latter part of June before he’d be on the mound for us. But it’s going to be way before that. And, I’ll be honest. He’s not a spring chicken, but he had upper back surgery and he’s pushed it. But not to the point where I think we’re risking any setback.”
Texas Rangers Still Hoping to Have deGrom Back This Season as Well
Along with Scherzer, the Texas Rangers are still holding out hope of having two-time Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom and offseason signee Tyler Mahle back for a possible pennant run later this summer.
DeGrom began throwing from 90 feet last week as he continues his recovery from a second Tommy John surgery. The team hopes he can be back in time for a late-season stretch run.
Mahle, who signed a two-year contract with the Texas Rangers in December, despite undergoing Tommy John surgery last May. Like deGrom, it is hoped he can return to provide a boost to the rotation later this season.
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Tom Carothers is a sportswriter with more than 20 years of experience covering sports at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels. Still longing for the return of his Minnesota North Stars, he has a high pain tolerance as a big fan of the Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Browns, and Tottenham Hotspur.
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