Texas Rangers’ ace Max Scherzer was placed on Injured List on Wednesday with a shoulder muscle strain. Scherzer won’t play in the regular season anymore and is unlikely to pitch in the playoffs if the Rangers end up making them.
Scherzer got hurt during the 6-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays earlier this week and was forced to exit the game in the sixth inning.
Speaking with reporters, Rangers’ general manager Chris Young said that Scherzer will get re-evaluated in a couple of weeks but isn’t expected to need surgery.
“It’s certainly bad news today,” Young said. “We’re very sorry for Max, obviously. It’s the last thing he wanted; he’s such a competitor, and he was pitching great last night when this happened.”
Scherzer started the 2023 MLB season with the New York Mets, playing 19 games and going 9-4 with a 4.01 ERA and 121 strikeouts. With the Mets deciding to punt on their campaign after a poor start, the 39-year-old player left New York in a blockbuster trade to join the Rangers.
Since joining the Rangers, Scherzer compiled a 4-2 record in eight games, alongside a 3.20 ERA and 53 strikeouts.
Previously a lock to make the postseason, the Texas Rangers have struggled to maintain momentum in recent weeks. They are currently second in the AL West, trailing one game to the leading Houston Astros but also having just 1.5 games in hand over the third-placed Seattle Mariners.
