Aug 28, 2023; New York City, New York, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) looks on from the dugout during the second inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: Texas Rangers at New York Mets
TEXAS — The Texas Rangers suffered another massive blow to their starting pitching rotation.
Right-hander Max Scherzer will miss the rest of the regular season, and likely wouldn’t be able to pitch in the playoffs if they make the postseason, because of a strained muscle in his shoulder.
Rangers general manager Chris Young told reporters Wednesday that Scherzer will miss the remainder of the regular season and is “unlikely” to pitch in the postseason. It comes just a day after Scherzer departed his start at Toronto in the sixth inning.
“Unfortunately, the timing of the schedule isn’t going to line up to where we can provide him rest, and he’ll still pitch again, certainly before the regular season,” said Young, who was then asked about the postseason. “I don’t want to rule it out at this point. We’ll see where the next two weeks go and how he’s feeling. That said, it’s probably unlikely.”
It’s another significant loss for Texas’ starting rotation as the 39-year-old veteran workhorse wound up making just eight starts after being acquired at the trade deadline from the Mets.
“This team has shown a ton of resolve all season long. We’ve lost five of six All-Stars in the second half at different periods. We’ve now lost a future Hall of Fame pitcher,” Young said. “Yet here we are in a great position to make a run here at the end of the season and make a playoff push.’”
The 39-year old finishes the season 13-6 with a 3.77 ERA in 27 starts for the Mets and Rangers, striking out 174 in 152 2/3 innings.
The only positive update here is that Scherzer will not require surgery.
“In some ways I was almost relieved that it’s not worse. It’s not surgery,” Scherzer said. “Talking with the doctors, I fully expect to make a full recovery.”
