Pitcher Max Scherzer has been activated from the injured list by the Texas Rangers and is expected to start Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Royals.
“Max feels good, so I feel good,” manager Bruce Bochy told reporters. including MLB.com’s Kennedi Landry.
Scherzer, who turns 40 on July 24, has not pitched yet this year while recovering from offseason surgery for a hernia. He last appeared for the Rangers in Game 3 of the World Series last season, pitching three innings before leaving with back tightness.
Right-hander Yerry Rodriguez was sent 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 soreness after starting for Round Rock on April 24. Scherzer revealed that team doctors diagnosed a nerve problem extending to his right side. forearm and triceps.
Once the pain subsided, he made two more rehabilitation starts on June 9 and 15. In that final rehab appearance, he struck out eight in 4 2/3 innings, giving up three runs on four hits.
Bochy said Scherzer will not have a pitch count on Sunday.
“We’ll watch the game and see how he feels each inning,” Bochy said, via the Associated Press. “He’s stretched. We’re not going to impose a limit on him.’
After being traded from the New York Mets to the Rangers, 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 in 9 2/3 innings during the postseason.
Scherzer joins a Rangers starting rotation that has dealt with several injuries this season. Nathan Eovaldi and Dane Dunning have each spent time on the injured list, while Cory Bradford remains sidelined. Jacob deGrom and Tyler Mahle are coming off Tommy John surgery and hope to be available again after the All-Star break.
