Max Scherzer's Rangers Tenure in Jeopardy Due to Injury

Max Scherzer's time with the Texas Rangers may be coming to an abrupt end as the veteran right-hander has been sidelined due to right shoulder fatigue. According to the Dallas Morning News, Scherzer will not make his scheduled Double-A rehab start, indicating he is not yet ready to resume a rehab assignment. This season has been particularly challenging for both Scherzer and the defending World Series champions, with the pitcher managing only eight starts. Scherzer began the season on the injured list following back surgery for a herniated disc and has since faced additional complications, including nerve issues related to neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome. After returning to the mound on June 23, he posted a 2-4 record with a 3.89 ERA over 39 1/3 innings, but his performance has been hampered by a significant drop in strikeouts per nine innings, the lowest rate since 2011. His last outing on July 30 was cut short after just four innings, with reports indicating a concerning drop in velocity. Initially, the Rangers hoped Scherzer would only miss one start, but his absence has extended for several weeks, raising questions about his return this season. With the Rangers currently 12 ½ games out of playoff contention, there is little motivation for either party to rush his recovery. If Scherzer does not pitch again this year, he will finish with 16 starts and a 3.52 ERA for the Rangers after being acquired from the Mets. As he heads into free agency this offseason, Scherzer has expressed his intention to continue his career.