Max Scherzer Prepares for Minor League Rehab Start After Back Surgery: A Look at the Texas Ranger’s Career and Achievements

39-year-old Texas Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer is preparing for a minor league rehab start on Wednesday following back surgery during the offseason. This will be his first time seeing game action since the surgery.

Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, is slated to start for Triple-A Round Rock against Salt Lake at home. The plan is for him to throw around 50 pitches against the Los Angeles Angels’ affiliate team, after throwing 40 pitches in a simulated game last Friday. Both Rangers manager Bruce Bochy and Scherzer are on board with this plan.

The surgery on December 15 was performed to address a herniated disk in Scherzer’s lower back, which caused him to exit Game 3 of the World Series after just three innings due to back discomfort. Following an MRI post-World Series, it was discovered that there was some inflammation in the back, followed by nerve pain in his leg. Two epidural injections were administered before 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 leads active pitchers and is ahead of Justin Verlander by 21 strikeouts. Additionally, Scherzer ranks second among active pitchers in wins and games started.