The Texas Rangers have been without Max Scherzer since the season started. But the former Cy Young Award winner was on the mound at Globe Life Field Tuesday. No, he didn't pitch in the game, but he's getting closer to a return.
Scherzer was recovering from offseason surgery during spring training, but made a rehab start with Triple-A Round Rock back in April that got the Rangers' fanbase excited.
Unfortunately, Scherzer suffered a setback and was moved from the 15-day to the 60-day IL, ending any hope of an earlier-than-expected return to the Rangers' starting rotation.
But Scherzer was back on the bump in Arlington earlier this week throwing live batting practice. This is typically an upgrade from a bullpen session and a precursor to a rehab assignment.
Rangers fans will rejoice after seeing video of Max Scherzer at Globe Life Park
Scherzer was reported to have thrown two innings of 20-25 pitches apiece during live BP. According to Kennedi Landry of MLB.com, Scherzer said he expects to go on a rehab assignment soon.
This is terrific news for a Rangers rotation that is struggling to stick together amid a flurry injuries this season. It's beginning to feel as if the rotation is held together with bubble gum and duct tape. In addition to Scherzer, Texas is without Tyler Mahle, Jon Gray, Cody Bradford, and Jacob deGrom
Gray is expected back sooner than the others on the IL, but Scherzer (if he doesn't hit any roadblocks this time) shouldn't be too far behind. Mahle is expected to be back on the mound for live batting practice on Wednesday. The Rangers' free agent pickup will likely throw at least four live BP sessions before going on a rehab assignment of his own following Tommy John surgery.
Getting Gray and Scherzer back before the end of the month would be a huge boost to the Rangers rotation. If Mahle can return by the All-Star break, that would be icing on the cake. And if Texas can somehow get deGrom and Bradford back from the IL later this summer, this Rangers rotation could be dangerous come the postseason. That's a lot of ifs, but that's all the Rangers have at the moment.