Rangers get huge update on Max Scherzer for ALDS

The Texas Rangers face a major decision Saturday morning: Should they add Max Scherzer to their postseason roster?

Based on Friday’s events, that’s not out of the question. Scherzer pitched two innings in a simulated game, his first appearance since he suffered a shoulder strain Sept. 12.

The three-time Cy Young Award looked good, but more importantly, he felt good afterward.

“I felt good,” Scherzer said (via ESPN). “I’ve got to recover. I’ve got to see how I wake up tomorrow and see what this does to the arm.”

Scherzer faced teammates Mitch Garver, Austin Hedges, Josh H. Smith and Ezequiel Duran in the session.

“I’m in a learning curve,” Scherzer said after his outing (via MLB.com). “I’m coming out of a shoulder problem here, and I’m learning what my shoulder can and can’t do. So much of this battle for me getting back has been in the recovery process from throwing. It’s a positive sign to go out there and go against hitters, but I’ve got to recover.”

Max Scherzer vs Mitch Garver pic.twitter.com/W4oiCYrvW7

— kennedi landry (@kennlandry) October 6, 2023

Did Scherzer show enough to make the postseason roster? After straining his right teres muscle, the Rangers said it was unlikely he could return for the postseason, but Friday’s session provides hope.

The Rangers begin their ALDS Saturday against the Baltimore Orioles. They would be a much better team with Scherzer. The veteran right-hander brings a ridiculous amount of postseason experience — and success — in his career. In 27 career postseason appearances, he’s 7-7 with a 3.58 ERA and 1.118 WHIP.

“It’s all hands on deck, I get it. I will do anything for the team to be able to go out there,” Scherzer said. “Obviously, the guys in here know. They could watch what I was doing and they’ll comment on what I should do going forward. It’s not my decision. I can only communicate what I feel.”

[MLB.com]