Max Scherzer’s second season with the Texas Rangers has been frustrating. The 40-year-old pitcher began the season on the injured list and, after returning and making eight starts, found himself out of the lineup again.
While it’s been a tough 2024 for Scherzer and the defending World Series champions, it likely won’t be the last for the right-hander in the league. He said Friday that he plans to pitch in 2025, regardless of how the rest of this season goes for him health-wise.
“When I’m out there, I’ve been able to compete,” Scherzer said. By Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News“I can still pitch at a high level. I look at things like my slider, which I wanted to fix at the beginning of the season, and it’s been really good. I still see myself being able to compete and win.”
Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, was acquired from the New York Mets last year and has since dealt with a torn muscle near his shoulder, a nerve problem in his arm, back problems and arm fatigue, which is what is currently keeping him out.
Aside from the numerous ailments and his age, Scherzer is also a free agent this winter, so while he may intend to play in 2025, it won’t necessarily be with the Rangers, who are currently in third place in the AL West with a 56-67 record.
Scherzer threw a “pain-free” 25-pitch bullpen on Friday and plans to throw 40 pitches on Sunday as he plots his eventual return to the mound. If all goes well, it will be up to him and the team to determine if he’ll need a rehab start or if he’ll be physically ready to return to the Rangers’ rotation.
“Everything feels good,” Scherzer said after Friday’s session. “I think I just tried to do spring training during the season and that’s something I’ve never done before. This time, I thought I would need about five extra days. I needed about an extra week on top of that.”