Max Scherzer announced that he only does pitchers’ fielding practice just twice a year: once in Spring Training, and once before the start of postseason.
On Friday, two days ahead of the Texas Rangers’ American League Championship Series match with the Houston Astros, Scherzer did PFPs at Globe Life Field, to signal his possible return to the mound. Now he will wait to hear what his next steps are.
Scherzer has been sidelined since September 13th with a low-grade strain of the teres major muscle in his right shoulder. He threw live batting practice Wednesday of about 65 pitches before following with a bullpen session and PFPs on Friday. If he was making the calls, Scherzer said he would be ready to go.
“I recovered,” Scherzer told reporters Friday. “I checked all the boxes I possibly can. I’m ready to go. I respect what Houston can do. They’re obviously a great team. I’ve got to bring my A-game.”
Bought from the New York Mets at the Trade Deadline, Scherzer posted a 3.20 ERA across eight starts before ending up on the injured list.
He continued his throwing program throughout the time he was on the IL, with hopes of returning if Texas made a deep run in the postseason.
“We’ve been talking through this whole process with the doctors as well, about where we thought this should trend, what we should be feeling,” Scherzer said. “We all have a hand in this, and we’re all trying to make the best decision possible.”
Rangers’ Manager Bruce Bochy did not address the media on Friday. But pitching coach Mike Maddux confirmed that Scherzer is indeed progressing in the right direction.
“We’re very encouraged,” Maddux said. “He threw I think 68 [pitches] against hitters and maintained his stuff. He didn’t skip a beat from one to 68. That was the encouraging part. He needs to sharpen up a little bit. But overall [it was] very encouraging, and the fact that he bounced back and played a good game of catch yesterday. We’re looking all thumbs up for today.”
If he is activated, Scherzer would probably be in a slot behind Game 1 starter Jordan Montogomery and Nathan Eovaldi in the rotation. The Rangers piggybacked Andrew Heaney and Dane Dunning to begin Game 1 of the AL Division Series against the Orioles after Montgomery and Eovaldi started the two matches in the Wild Card Series over the Tampa Bay Rays.
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