Max Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, is set to make his first appearance on the mound since undergoing back surgery during the offseason. The 39-year-old Texas Rangers right-hander is scheduled to start for Triple-A Round Rock against Salt Lake at home on Wednesday.
Scherzer will throw approximately 50 pitches in his rehab start, following a simulated game last Friday where he threw 40 pitches. Both Rangers manager Bruce Bochy and Scherzer are confident in this plan, as it allows Scherzer to gradually build up his workload and get back into game action.
In December, Scherzer underwent surgery to address a herniated disk in his lower back, which caused him to exit Game 3 of the World Series after just three innings due to discomfort. An MRI post-World Series revealed inflammation in the back, followed by nerve pain in his leg. Another MRI confirmed the herniated disk.
Last summer, Scherzer was traded to the Rangers and went 4-2 with a 3.20 ERA in eight starts before missing the rest of the regular season and initial playoff rounds due to a strained muscle in his right shoulder. With 3,367 career strikeouts, he is currently leading active pitchers and has also earned second place among active pitchers for wins and games started.