Texas Rangers pitcher Max Scherzer is set to miss the beginning of the 2024 season after undergoing surgery for a herniated disk in his lower back. The 39-year-old right-hander, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, opted for surgery after injections and other less invasive treatments failed to alleviate the pain.
Scherzer, who was removed from the roster during the World Series due to back discomfort, is in the final season of a $130 million, three-year contract he signed with the New York Mets. General manager Chris Young stated that the team is optimistic about Scherzer’s recovery and aims for him to be fully healed and ready to play by June or July.
The veteran pitcher revealed that his back pain intensified upon returning to his offseason home in Florida, leading to the diagnosis of a herniated disk. Despite trying conservative treatments and consulting with specialists, Scherzer made the decision to undergo the recommended surgery to maximize his chances of contributing to the Rangers during the 2024 season.
Scherzer faced injury challenges in previous seasons, limited to 23 starts in 2022 due to a left oblique injury and 27 starts in the current year due to neck spasms and a right teres muscle sprain. He was a crucial part of the Rangers’ World Series run, but his participation was cut short when he was forced to exit Game 3 of the series. The surgery comes after Scherzer strained a muscle in his right shoulder on September 12, making a return to pitch in the AL Championship Series against Houston.
While the news of Scherzer’s delayed start to the season is not ideal, the Rangers express relief at having a diagnosis and a solution. The team is focused on Scherzer’s recovery, and they anticipate having him back in action on the mound next summer.
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