On Wednesday, Max Scherzer pitched for the Round Rock Express against the Salt Lake Bees, getting his first repetitions of the season.
Texas Rangers starting Max Scherzer started his injury rehab assignment with the Round Rock Express on Wednesday, pitching fewer than three innings in his first game action since last year’s World Series.
The 39-year-old right-hander has been on the 15-day disabled list since the beginning of the season after undergoing surgery for a herniated disc in December.
Scherzer threw twice last week: a 25-pitch batting practice session in Detroit and a 40-pitch simulated game when the Texas Rangers visited Atlanta to face the Braves on Friday.
The numbers for the three-time Cy Young winner weren’t impressive against Salt Lake. He pitched 2 1/3 innings, giving up five hits, three runs (all earned) and no walks. He struck out four. He threw 52 pitches, 32 of which were strikes. He faced 11 hitters.
The Rangers set 50 pitches as a goal for Scherzer.
He allowed a solo home run to Jason Martin with one out in the first inning. He gave up another solo home run, as Cole Tucker slammed one off Scherzer to lead off the second.
Later, D’Shawn Knowles doubled home Jack Lopez, giving Salt Lake a 3-0 advantage.
Scherzer retired Martin on a groundout before leaving the game to reliever Chasen Shreve.
Scherzer has stated repeatedly in recent weeks that he is ahead of schedule in his comeback. That’s one of the reasons the Rangers placed him on the 15-day injured list rather than the 60-day disabled list, where Jacob deGrom and Tyler Mahle began the season.
The Rangers believe Scherzer can enter the rotation over the next few weeks.
He finished 13-6 with the Mets and Rangers last season, with a 3.77 ERA. With the Rangers, he was 4-2 with a 3.20 ERA.
