Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer hasn’t been ruled out for contributing to the Rangers’ postseason push this year despite having suffered a teres major strain earlier this month. Just two weeks after being placed on the IL with the issue, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News noted that Scherzer had worked his way up to throwing a “light” bullpen today. Scherzer wouldn’t put a timeline on his potential return, telling reporters (including Grant) that “If you target dates, you get emotional & then you compete with the injury.”
Scherzer managing to return to the Rangers this postseason would provide a massive boost to the club’s pitching staff, which offers little certainty beyond lefty Jordan Montgomery and veteran righty Nathan Eovaldi without its future Hall of Fame ace fronting the rotation. It’s been an up-and-down year for Scherzer, who’s posted a 3.77 ERA and 4.33 FIP in 152 2/3 innings of work this year. While those numbers are uncharacteristically close to average for the veteran ace, he seemingly flipped a switch upon being traded to Texas. The righty posted a 2.21 ERA and 2.47 FIP in his first six starts with the club with a 33.6% strikeout rate, looking like vintage Scherzer before a pair of injury-shortened starts that preceded his trip to the injured list.
More from around the AL West…
- Sticking with the Rangers, the club activated left-hander Josh Sborz from the 15-day IL today and optioned lefty Jake Latz to Triple-A in a corresponding move. While Sborz sports a well below average 5.80 ERA in 49 2/3 innings of work this year, his peripheral stats indicate a much stronger performance as indicated by his 3.90 FIP, 3.41 xERA, 3.24 xFIP, and 3.11 SIERA. Much of this discrepancy comes from an extremely low 55.3% strand rate combined with an excellent strikeout rate (30.6%), solid walk rate (8.3%), and strong groundball rate (46.8%). If Sborz’s results can improve, he could be a valuable left-handed option out of the club’s bullpen headed into the postseason.
- MLB commissioner Rob Manfred confirmed in an interview with the Associated Press today an earlier report by Mick Akers of the Las Vegas Review-Journal that MLB owners will vote on the Athletics’ relocation bid during the owners’ meetings, which are scheduled for November 14-16. Akers also notes that the club is expected to announce the architect for the impending stadium prior to that announcement, with that decision expected to come as soon as next month. At least 75% of owners will need to approve the relocation proposal, though that is widely expected to be all but guaranteed.
- Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel has been out of action since fouling a pitch off his knee on Monday, which prompted him to exit the game in the seventh inning. While he’s missed the past two games nursing the injury, manager Phil Nevin indicated to reporters (including MLB.com) that the club was hopeful Schanuel would be able to return to the starting lineup as soon as Friday, following the club’s day off tomorrow. The Angels’ first-round pick in this year’s draft, Schanuel was called up to the big league club just one month after being drafted and has performed admirably in his first taste of both major league and professional pitching this summer, with a .284/.407/.343 slash line that clocks in at 16% better than league average by measure of wRC+. The club has relied on Brandon Drury at first base in Schanuel’s absence.
Move my A’s . ASAP , and Oh Striker would not want to pitch in Oakland . The fans are the worst . You can hear every dopey comment they say or yell . I did fully enjoy Covid season with no fans . It was just pure baseball like a chess match . I can do without dumb fans yelling stupid stuff ..
Oakland was never the problem but Fisher. Manfred is the other problem he is getting something out of this deal because he is sure gung ho about Vegas and refuses to call out Fisher for making MLB a laughing stock of sports.
Lol what are you, John Fisher’s burner account? You stink!
I think if they vote to put baseball in Vegas, the day it happens is the day Pete rose can go back on a ballot.
Schanuel was taking finals like four months ago, and now he has an OBP over .400 in the Major Leagues lol. Pretty impressive.
It seems just like yesterday when Nevin indicated to reporters that the club was hopeful Ohtani would be able to return as soon as Friday.
Scherzer should pitch through it. After all, he has 6 months to recover from any aggravated injury.
It’s a lot less than 6 months, even if they don’t get to the World Series.
For your reference—
OCT 7-14 ALDS
OCT 15-23 ALCS
OCT 27–World Series game 1
NOV 4–World Series game 7
DEC
JAN
FEB—Pitchers & Catchers Feb 13-15
I ignored spring training and rounded. March isn’t real baseball imo. I also didn’t realize the postseason went into November. I remember this “Mr. October” name for Reggie Jackson and then Nelson Cruz. Maybe, stuff got pushed back?
Yes. The expanded playoffs pushed things back a week.
And even a veteran like Max needs to start a throwing program then ramp up over spring training.
Max is no spring chicken anymore. 6 months may seem like plenty of time when you’re in your 20’s, not so much when you are pushing 40
Sborz is a righty
Lol at the mariners!
Not even listed in this article…
13 of Sborz’s 32 runs allowed this season came over his last 5 innings where he was just tattooed almost every time he entered the game. Before that, his ERA was a much more serviceable 3.83. Not sure if that terrible stretch was injury related or just general reliever volatility though.
Before worrying about voting for relocation they probably should wait to see if they have somewhere to relocate too. Vegas approving the funding is no sure thing and that vote goes the other way Fisher may be crawling back to Oakland with his tail between his legs.
Joe Lacob has a standing offer to Fisher to buy the A’s and the best thing for the team and the game would be if he took him up on it
This places pressure on Vegas to finalize a financing deal and build site. If things unlikely fall apart, the A’s can stay and negotiate to extend their Coliseum lease for another year or move to another city. It’s not like Oakland has other potential tenants clamoring to move in. Not a chance Fisher sells now once relocation is approved.
Have fun at your 115 degree tailgate in Vegas.
The tailgate party will just be next door at the casino bar.
I’m wondering about Schanuel’s power numbers in college. He’s already showing a lot of patience with an OBP over .400, and that helps him have a .750 OPS. Could it just be a matter of developing that power is he just an on base machine?
he has some pop. Not 40 homer pop really, but he doesnt sell out for power. He will get stronger and I’m sure take some “bigger” swings in the future. Right now he is just trying to make solid contact for the most part
He’s a 15-20 hr guy, and that’s fine angels need guys to get on base, and he checks that box.
Sborz went on the IL a righty and came back a lefty.
From today’s game summary by Bollinger:
“He’s (Silseth) put himself in a good position heading into next year, while lefty Reid Detmers and right-hander Griffin Canning also finished their seasons strong. Left-hander Patrick Sandoval was inconsistent down the stretch, but has the best track record of the group.”
If this is the core of our rotation next year, it will be the same story in 2024. The pitching staff needs to be revamped from top to bottom. We need to start with a proven number one and number 2 with Ohtani gone and build from there.