Mad Max is nearing a return.
According to ESPN's Buster Olney, Scherzer "will throw live batting practice Friday, as the Rangers work to determine if/when he can be part of their postseason staff."
This latest development comes one day after Scherzer threw a bullpen session in full uniform prior to the Rangers' series-clinching win over the Rays.
Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reported Wednesday that Scherzer shouted "finally" twice after completing his session - a sign that Scherzer had turned a corner in his recovery from a strained teres major muscle behind his right shoulder.
105.3 The Fan's Mike Bacsik said Wednesday that he would be surprised to see Scherzer return during the Rangers' ALDS series against the Orioles, beginning Saturday. But all bets are off when it comes to the right-hander's competitiveness.
And if and when Scherzer does return, Bascik expects him to be used as an opener and doesn't believe he'd be able to throw his normal workload of pitches.
Scherzer has not pitched since suffering the injury during his Sept. 12 start. The injury usually requires 8-to-12 weeks of rest, and general manager Chris Young and the Rangers largely have acted as though a return for Scherzer this season would be a longshot. The 39-year-old remains on the injured list to date.
However, when speaking with the K&C Masterpiece last week, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said he wouldn't rule out a postseason return for Scherzer.
"Yeah, I just talked to Max yesterday. I don’t think you rule that out. Max isn’t," Bochy said Sept. 26. "He’s thrown the ball, he’s letting it go pretty good. Now, when you pitch, it’s that last five or 10 percent that you’ve got to let go of the ball, that’s what you have to have so you can finish up your pitches. But he seems optimistic, and he knows his body better than anybody. But we’re getting good news on him, how he’s coming along. So, I would not rule that out."
We expect an update on Scherzer when the club holds a workout in Baltimore on Friday.