In his 2023 season opener, Max Scherzer was in splendid form, setting down the first 12 hitters from the Kansas City Royals in remarkable fashion. During the game on Sunday, Scherzer allowed only one hit across five innings, marking a dominant return to the major leagues with only 57 pitches—a stark contrast to the 79 pitches used in his last appearance at Triple-A Round Rock.
The Texas Rangers, cautious of Scherzer’s condition, decided to pull him sooner rather than later—a move that paid off as they secured a 4-0 victory over the Royals, completing a series sweep. Scherzer himself was involved in the decision, citing concerns over a nerve issue in his hand and the unknowns regarding his recovery process.
At 39, the three-time Cy Young Award winner expressed uncertainty about the impact of his exertion on his pitching hand, particularly a troubling thumb issue and forearm fatigue. “I just don’t know how I’m going to recover from this,” Scherzer remarked, underlining the precarious balance between performance and health at this stage of his career.
Despite the Rangers not having a day off until July 1, Scherzer is expected to proceed with his regular rotation, keen on not overextending himself. His performance, albeit shortened, was impressive, exploiting the Royals’ aggressive batting with his seasoned command and a fastball reaching 94 mph.
Manager Bruce Bochy hailed Scherzer’s knowledge and savvy, emphasizing the pitcher’s critical role on the team and adopting a day-by-day approach to his usage. Offensively, the Rangers found timely hits, with Wyatt Langford and Leody Taveras contributing significantly to the scoring, allowing Scherzer to exit with a lead and ultimately claim the win.
Further bolstering their lineup, Josh Smith knocked a homer in the seventh, rounding off a solid performance by the Rangers who accumulated 16 runs over the series. Key hitters like Adolis Garcia and Nathaniel Lowe are showing promising signs of form, enhancing the team’s scoring potential.
In the minors, the Rangers announced promotions for several players, including right-hander Alejandro Rosario moving to High A Hickory. Such adjustments signal the organization’s proactive stance in nurturing talent, with an eye on both immediate needs and future contributions.
As the Rangers prepare for their road games against strong contenders, the Brewers and Orioles, their recent performance, coupled with strategic player management, points to a team gearing up for competitive challenges ahead. With Scherzer’s health a critical factor, the Rangers’ depth and adaptability will be key elements in their pursuit of success this season.
