The Texas Rangers are hoping to get something out of Max Scherzer in 2024, and something of a pitcher like Scherzer is far better than nothing.
Unfortunately, Scherzer has pitched only 11 games for the Rangers since they traded for him last July. He was shut down in September 2023 with shoulder pain, underwent surgery in mid-December to repair a herniated disk in his lower back.
He was then scratched from his second rehab start in April because of right thumb soreness connected to a nerve issue involving his right triceps.
That’s a lot of bad for a player that otherwise has brought a ton of good pitching to MLB, but the 39-year-old did recently provide a positive update regarding his recovery.
In fact, he threw 40 pitches to live hitters on Tuesday and it sounds as if some rehab starts could be in his future.
“Got to recover well from this. Make sure my thumb is OK as I ramp back up into this. As long as I check that box, hopefully I can get out there on rehab,” Scherzer said after the pitching session, per ESPN.
It’s worth noting that Scherzer’s manager, Bruce Bochy, watched the pitching session and he also feels positive about Scherzer’s ability to get back on the bump.
“We’ll check on him [Wednesday], a good chance he will start his rehab possibly,” Bochy said. “I think that’s the way it’s leaning right now.”
Scherzer went 4-2 with a 3.20 ERA in eight starts before he was initially shut down last season. The Rangers brought him back in the playoffs and he made two ALCS starts and went three innings in Game 3 of the World Series before having to leave due to back injury.
He may not ever again be the pitcher he once was, but again, half of a pitcher like Scherzer is better than nothing — and it’s still a whole lot better than most.
Scherzer is a three-time Cy Young Award-winning pitcher, an eight-time All-Star and a two-time World Series champion. He boasts a career ERA of 3.15 and a career WHIP of 1.08.