The Texas Rangers announced on Friday that pitcher Max Scherzer will miss the first few months of the 2024 season as he recovers from surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back.
General manager Chris Young told reporters that Scherzer attempted “conservative treatments in pain management” before electing to have the surgery.
Scherzer, whom the Rangers acquired in a trade deadline deal from the New York Mets during the 2023 season, adds to the lengthy list of question marks surrounding the Rangers’ starting pitching staff.
The 39-year old right-hander was removed from Game 3 of the World Series with back pain. The Rangers went on to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks in five games to win the franchise’s first World Series title.
“After returning to my offseason home in Florida, my discomfort in my back continued to get worse,” Scherzer told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. “During this time, I received a diagnosis of a herniated disc. After several conservative treatments and consulting with multiple specialists, I made the decision to have the recommended surgery. Getting this procedure done now will give me the best chance to pitch as much as possible for the Rangers in 2024. I look forward to putting in the rehab work and getting back on the mound next summer.”
While postseason hero Nathan Eovaldi returns to anchor the pitching staff, it will be missing several key pieces.
Jordan Montgomery, who was also obtained during the trade deadline, is a free agent. He could return to the Rangers, but he is also being courted by several other franchises.
Jacob deGrom, who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2023, is not expected to return to the mound until the second half of the 2024 season. Martin Perez, who pitched well in 2022 and struggled in a starting role in 2023, is also a free agent.
John Gray, Andrew Heaney, Dane Dunning and possibly Cody Bradford are the others likely pegged for the Rangers’ starting rotation.
Besides Montgomery, there are other pitchers available on the free agent market or from trades. Cleveland’s Shane Bieber, Chicago’s Dylan Cease and Milwaukee’s Corbin Burnes have been mentioned as available for the right group of top-level prospects.
Rangers sign Tyler Mahle
The Rangers signed right-handed pitcher Tyler Mahle to a two-year contract on Thursday.
He has a career record of 33-41 with a 4.30 ERA over 123 appearances, including 122 starts with the Minnesota Twins and Cincinnati Reds.
It was an interesting signing as Mahle is recovering from Tommy John surgery, which replaced a ligament in his throwing arm, in May. He is not expected to return to the mound until late in the 2024 season or at the beginning of the 2025 season.
He posted a 1-2 record with a 3.16 ERA and 28 strikeouts in five starts with the Minnesota Twins before he was placed on the injured list on May 3. He was transferred to the 60-day injured list on May 5, then had the season-ending procedure on his right elbow on May 22. The procedure was done by Rangers team physician Dr. Keith Meister.
