Pitcher Max Scherzer has been activated from the injured list by the Texas Rangers and he is expected to start Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Royals.
“Max is feeling good, so I’m feeling good,” manager Bruce Bochy told reporters, including MLB.com’s Kennedi Landry.
Scherzer, who will turn 40 on July 24, has not yet pitched this year while recovering from offseason surgery for a herniated disc. He last appeared for the Rangers in Game 3 of the World Series last season, throwing three innings before leaving with back tightness.
Right-hander Yerry Rodriguez was sent down to Triple-A Round Rock to make room for Scherzer on the 26-man roster.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner began a minor league rehab assignment in late April, but suffered a setback with right thumb sorenes after a start for Round Rock on April 24. Scherzer revealed that team doctors diagnosed a nerve issue that extended to his right forearm and triceps.
Once the soreness alleviated, he made two more rehab starts on June 9 and 15. In that final rehab appearance, he notched eight strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings, giving up three runs on four hits.
Bochy said Scherzer won’t have a pitch count on Sunday.
“We’ll watch the game and see how he feels every inning,” said Bochy, via the Associated Press. “He’s been stretched out. We’re not going to put a limit on him.”
After being traded to the Rangers from the New York Mets, Scherzer compiled a 3.20 ERA and 4–2 record in eight starts with 53 strikeouts in 45 innings. He allowed seven runs and 11 hits over 9 2/3 innings during the postseason.
Scherzer joins a Rangers starting rotation that’s dealt with several injuries this season. Nathan Eovaldi, Dane Dunning have each spent time on the injured list, while Cory Bradford is still sidelined. Jacob deGrom and Tyler Mahle are coming off Tommy John surgery and hope to be available after the All-Star break.
