Scherzer: 'I'm ready to go' for Rangers in ALCS
Pitching coach says club is 'encouraged' by veteran's progress from shoulder injury
Kennedi Landry
@kennlandryARLINGTON -- Max Scherzer said he does pitchers¡¯ fielding practice only twice a year: once in Spring Training, and once before the postseason begins.
On Friday, two days ahead of the Rangers¡¯ American League Championship Series matchup with the Astros, Scherzer did PFPs at Globe Life Field, signaling his potential return to the mound. Now he¡¯ll wait to hear what his next step will be.
The 39-year-old has been sidelined since Sept. 13 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 decision, 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.¡±
Acquired from the Mets at the Trade Deadline, Scherzer posted a 3.20 ERA across eight starts before landing on the injured list.?
He has continued his throwing program throughout his time on the IL, hoping to return if the Rangers 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.¡±
Manager Bruce Bochy did not speak to the media Friday. But pitching coach Mike Maddux confirmed that Scherzer is 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 activated, Scherzer would likely slot in behind Game 1 starter Jordan Montgomery and Nathan Eovaldi in the rotation. The Rangers piggybacked Andrew Heaney and Dane Dunning to start Game 1 of the AL Division Series against the Orioles after Montgomery and Eovaldi started the two games in the Wild Card Series sweep over the Rays.