Texas Rangers starting pitcher Max Scherzer is expected to miss the start of the 2024 season.
The 39-year-old underwent surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back on Thursday and will be out until midseason, according to multiple reports. He becomes the third Rangers pitcher expected to miss the beginning of the season, joining Jacob deGrom and free-agent signee Tyler Mahle, both recovering from Tommy John surgery.
The Rangers managed injuries to their pitching staff all last season, as Jake Odorizzi missed the entire season after shoulder surgery, and deGrom went down early in the year, moving others in and out of the starting rotation all year. As the season wore on, Nathan Eovaldi and Jon Gray joined the injured bunch, testing the depth of the staff even further.
Dane Dunning held his own for much of the season, and Jordan Montgomery added a needed boost after being traded from the St. Louis Cardinals. Still, Scherzer was the big trade deadline acquisition because of his experience and reputation.
The team traded minor-league shortstop and rising prospect Luisangel Acuna for Scherzer to help bolster its pitching at the trade deadline, and he delivered when healthy. However, he dealt with a couple of injuries late in the year and was ultimately removed from Texas’ roster during the World Series after some uncharacteristic outings.
He finished the year with a 4-2 record and 3.20 ERA in eight appearances after being acquired from the New York Mets. He also made three postseason starts before shutting it down for the year as the Rangers won their first World Series title.