Texas Rangers veteran and elite pitcher Max Scherzer has returned to the IL for the second time this season due to right shoulder fatigue. Back in May, he went on the IL with a back injury and was out long-term. Right-handed pitcher Walter Pennington has been recalled in a corresponding move.
Max Scherzer is headed to the IL with arm fatigue, per @Evan_P_Grant pic.twitter.com/3QIwGIcihg
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) August 2, 2024
Rangers Star Pitcher Max Scherzer Heads to IL
The 40-year-old Scherzer has sported a 2-4 record with a 1.093 WHIP and a 3.89 ERA this season for the Rangers. The defending champs are pushing forward to make their best efforts at a shot at the postseason. But things are not looking pretty with the three-time Cy Young winner back on the IL. The Rangers also have three other starters as well as two other right-handed pitchers and an outfielder on the IL. These players are Jon Gray (starter), Carson Coleman (righty), Cole Winn (righty), Tyler Mahle (starter), Jacob deGrom (starter), and Evan Carter (outfielder). Gray is on the IL with a strained groin, Carson with elbow surgery, Winn with shoulder discomfort, Mahle and deGrom with Tommy John surgery, and Carter with lower back tightness.
The Rangers had a stupendous run last year that led them to a World Series title, but this season is no mirror image. This is largely because Texas is missing key pieces to their core and are eight games out of a Wild Card spot entering Friday’s game against the Boston Red Sox. Scherzer has spent a good chunk of this season on the IL, and opponent and former teammate Justin Verlander shares this same unfortunate news. The Rangers are just one of many teams that can’t catch a break this season with injuries, and Scherzer is among many other top starters that have landed on the IL. It is not certain when Scherzer will be returning. Considering his age, which plays a factor, his recovery time could be longer.
Photo Credit: © Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
