Max Scherzer’ Rangers tenure may end with him on the injured list.
The veteran right-hander will not make his scheduled Double-A rehab start Friday in his attempt to return from right shoulder fatigue, according to the Dallas Morning News.
The Rangers told the outlet that Scherzer is not ready to begin a rehab assignment.
The 2024 season is proving to be a lost one for both Scherzer and the defending World Series champions, with the right-hander making just eight starts this season.
Scherzer started the year on the injured list after undergoing back surgery for a herniated disc in the offseason.
The 40-year-old also dealt with nerve issues in the shoulder/arm region stemming from neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, which resulted in receiving Botox injections, per the publication.
He returned June 23 and went 2-4 with a 3.89 ERA spanning 39 1/3 innings, although his strikeouts-per-nine innings dropped to its lowest mark since 2011.
Scherzer lasted just four innings in his final start on July 30 and the Dallas Morning News reported he noted a drop in velocity.
The team had hoped Scherzer would miss just one start, per the report, but he’s now been sidelined for several weeks and that absence could linger.
With the Rangers sitting at 59-69 and 12 1/2 games out of the playoff picture, there is little incentive for both the team and Scherzer to have him rush back.
If Scherzer is unable to pitch again this year, he will have contributed 16 starts of 3.52 ERA across one-and-half seasons for the Rangers after being acquired by the Mets.
Scherzer went 0-1 with a 6.52 ERA in three postseason starts last year, including an injury-shortened three-inning outing in Game 3 due to back tightness.
He will be a free agent this offseason and said he plans to continue his career.
“When I’m out there, I’ve been able to compete,” Scherzer said earlier this month, per the Dallas Morning News. “I can still pitch at a high level. I look at things like my slider, which I went into the season wanting to fix, and it’s been really good. I still see myself as able to compete and win.”