Player Outlook
Normally veteran pitchers are more stable than younger arms, but Max Scherzer did not follow that game plan in 2023 as his numbers were all over the place. While he maintained his streak of 12 consecutive seasons with a K-BB% of at least 20%, a rash of mid-season gopheritis pushed his ERA up to its highest full-season point since that aforementioned streak began in 2012. Scherzer allowed 10 of his 28 homers in July leading up to the trade to Texas but pitched well for Texas while his body began failing him until ultimately succumbing to back issues in the American League playoffs. Those same back issues still linger as Scherzer needed back surgery in the offseason and will miss at least the first half of the season as he tries to return to the mound before his 40th birthday this summer. Fantasy managers should obviously slide Scherzer down the charts to the end game to be safe.

Fantasy Stats

Year fpts
Fantasy Points
fpts/g
Fantasy Points per Game
ip
Innings Pitched
w
Wins
l
Losses
sv
Saves
so
Strikeouts
bb
Base on Balls (Walk)
era
Earned Run Average
whip
Walks and Hits Allowed Per Inning
2024 0.00 0.00
2023 40915.1 152.7 13 6 174 45 3.77 1.12
2022 442.519.2 145.3 11 5 173 24 2.29 0.91
3y Avg. 47717.7 159.0 13 5 194 35 2.83 0.96
Projections Powered by
Fantasy Performance by Week
69%
Roster
8%
Start
#73
SP Rank

Fantasy News

  • Rangers' Max Scherzer: Cleared for baseball activity

    Scherzer (back) has been cleared for baseball activities, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports. Scherzer joined his teammates this week in camp after spending time at home rehabbing away from the club. He'll begin by tossing medicine balls to loosen up, then move onto sprinting, jumping and eventually throwing. June remains the target date for the right-hander's return.
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  • Rangers' Max Scherzer: Bochy hoping for June return

    Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said in an interview with MLB Network on Thursday that the team is now "looking at June" for the return of Scherzer (back). Bochy noted that the June timetable for Scherzer is "a little earlier than we thought." When Scherzer underwent surgery in mid-December to repair a herniated disc in his back, the Rangers said at the time that the veteran righty could be back in June or July. It's not clear what exactly Scherzer is currently able to do during his rehab, but evidently the club is optimistic he can make it back on the early side of its initial timeline. It's still very early in the process, of course, and Scherzer's age (39) won't help him.
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  • Rangers' Max Scherzer: On track for workouts soon

    Scherzer (back) said Saturday that he's about three weeks away from resuming workouts, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports. Scherzer is six weeks removed from surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back and has progressed with no setbacks. The 39-year-old right-hander hopes to be ready to rejoin the Rangers' rotation by June or July, but it's a very rough timetable at this juncture.
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  • Rangers' Max Scherzer: Undergoes back surgery

    Scherzer will be sidelined until June or July after undergoing surgery Thursday to repair a herniated disc in his back, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports. Scherzer was limited to 152.2 innings during the regular season and just 9.2 frames in the postseason in 2023 while dealing with a shoulder/back problem. He and the Rangers attempted several conservative treatments earlier this offseason, but the pain persisted so the decision to have surgery was made. As a 39-year-old who will miss at least a couple months following a back operation, Scherzer's fantasy outlook for 2024 is dicey.
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  • Rangers' Max Scherzer: Out for rest of Fall Classic

    The Rangers removed Scherzer (back) from their World Series roster Tuesday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports. Scherzer had his Game 3 cut short after three innings due to back spasms, and he will now be forced to sit out the rest of the World Series. The 39-year-old was in line to start Game 7 if necessary, and it is unclear at the moment who will take his place in the rotation. Brock Burke will join the Rangers' roster in Scherzer's place to provide additional bullpen depth.
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  • Rangers' Max Scherzer: Battling back spasm

    Scherzer said after Monday's 3-1 victory over the Diamondbacks in the World Series that his start was cut short due to a back spasm, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports. Scherzer, who scattered two hits and two walks over three scoreless innings before exiting in the top of the fourth inning, noted that he's experienced the same issue in the past with varying outcomes. More specifically, Scherzer relayed that he's been able to overcome bouts with back spasms in 48-to-72 hours, and other instances where it's taken far longer to return to normal. The Rangers will keep a close eye on the veteran right-hander over the next few days to determine whether another appearance in the World Series is a possibility, though time is certainly not on Scherzer's side.
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  • Rangers' Max Scherzer: Exits early with trainer

    Scherzer was removed from Game 3 of the World Series against the Diamondbacks on Monday due to back tightness, Buster Olney of ESPN reports. Scherzer beckoned to the team trainer shortly after he went out to warm up for the bottom of the fourth inning, and he exited the contest immediately after. Considering he only threw 36 pitches over three innings, it's possible the veteran right-hander could pitch again in a few days. However, Scherzer's availability for the rest of the series will depend on how he feels in the days to come.
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  • Rangers' Max Scherzer: Officially tapped for Game 3

    Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Scherzer will start Wednesday in Arlington for Game 3 of the American League Championship Series matchup with the Astros, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports. Bochy had left open the possibility that Scherzer could pitch in relief in Game 1, but after Scherzer wasn't needed out of the bullpen in Sunday's 2-0 win, he's officially on tap for Game 3. Scherzer will have gone about five weeks in between starts, as he had to be lifted from his final regular-season outing Sept. 12 with a teres major muscle strain in his right shoulder. It's not clear what kind of workload is planned for Scherzer, but he'll surely be limited to some degree following a 60-pitch simulated game last week.
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  • Rangers' Max Scherzer: On roster for ALCS

    Scherzer (shoulder) is included on the Rangers' roster for the American League Championship Series against the Astros, which begins Sunday in Houston, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports. Scherzer has been sidelined for the past month by a strain of the teres major muscle in his right shoulder, but he's made a quick recovery after initially being given an 8-to-12-week return timeline. The 39-year-old tossed a 60-pitch simulated game Wednesday and could have some workload limitations when he takes the mound. According to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic, manager Bruce Bochy said there's a "good chance" Scherzer starts Game 3 on Wednesday, but the right-hander could also be used Sunday if the right situation presents itself.
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  • Rangers' Max Scherzer: Takes fielding practice

    Scherzer (shoulder) went through pitchers' fielding practice at Globe Life Field on Friday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports. The veteran right-hander completed a 60-pitch simulated game Wednesday, and this is a good sign he's feeling OK afterward. The Rangers have not yet announced their ALCS roster, but it would be a surprise at this point if Scherzer isn't on it. He last pitched Sept. 12 due to a strain of the teres major muscle in his right shoulder and was initially given an 8-12 week timeline to return, so if he does indeed make it back for the ALCS it would be a rapid recovery.
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  • Rangers' Max Scherzer: Encouraged after sim game

    Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said he was "real encouraged" by Scherzer's (shoulder) simulated game Wednesday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports. Scherzer nearly made the roster for the ALDS and appears on track to return to the Rangers' starting rotation for their upcoming ALCS matchup against the Astros, which begins Sunday in Houston. He's been sidelined since Sept. 12 because of a teres major muscle injury, but the veteran right-hander threw around 40 pitches to live hitters last Friday and extended himself to about 60 pitches during Wednesday's workout at Globe Life Field. Jon Gray (forearm) could also be activated for the American League Championship Series.
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  • Rangers' Max Scherzer: Throwing sim game Wednesday

    Scherzer (shoulder) will throw another simulated game Wednesday, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports. Scherzer pitched three innings (two against hitters) of a sim game ahead of the ALDS, and Wednesday's session will be a test to see how deep into a game he can go. The 39-year-old is recovering from a right teres major strain and may still be held off the Rangers' roster for the ALCS, but Scherzer remains well ahead of schedule in his rehab process.
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  • Rangers' Max Scherzer: Left off ALDS roster

    Scherzer (shoulder) isn't listed on the Rangers' roster for their ALDS matchup with the Orioles, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports. Scherzer was able to face live hitters Friday for the first time since straining the teres major muscle in his right shoulder in mid-September. Although Scherzer has been well ahead of the typical 8-to-12-week return timeline, he'll be held out for at least the first two games. However, he could return as an injury replacement if the Rangers need to rely on him later in the series, per Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News.
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  • Rangers' Max Scherzer: Faces hitters Friday

    Scherzer (shoulder) faced hitters during a simulated game Friday, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports. Scherzer threw two simulated innings against live hitters before throwing a third inning with nobody standing in the batter's box. The 39-year-old said afterward that he felt good while on the mound, but he's more concerned with how he'll recover afterward. It's possible the Rangers list Scherzer on their ALDS roster ahead of Game 1 against Baltimore on Saturday, but there is no guarantee he'll be available to pitch during the series.
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  • Rangers' Max Scherzer: Could face hitters Friday

    Rangers general manager Chris Young said Scherzer (shoulder) could advance to facing live hitters Friday, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports. Scherzer hasn't pitched in a game since Sept. 12 due to a teres major muscle injury and remains doubtful to be included on the ALDS roster, but the veteran right-hander has made significant progress over the last week and might be somewhat close to full strength by the start of the ALCS -- should Texas move on past Baltimore. Scherzer responded well to a high-intensity bullpen session Wednesday, telling reporters that he "was able to step on it more," and he emerged from the workout with no lingering discomfort in his throwing shoulder.
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  • Rangers' Max Scherzer: Ups intensity in bullpen session

    Scherzer (shoulder) threw what he described as a "real" bullpen session Wednesday, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports. Scherzer threw a light bullpen session a week ago but still felt sore the day of and the day after, which prompted him reverting to flat-ground work. However, he said of the intensity of Wednesday's session that he "was able to step on it more" and he came out of it "pain free." If he recovers well, he could ramp things up more in another bullpen session or perhaps even face hitters. Grant writes that while it "still remains unlikely" Scherzer could be ready for the ALDS, "things seem to change quickly with him." Of course, the Rangers must advance out of the AL Wild Card Series first or Scherzer's progression will be a moot point.
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  • Rangers' Max Scherzer: Not included on wild-card roster

    Scherzer (shoulder) isn't included on the Rangers' roster for their AL Wild Card Series versus the Rays that begins Tuesday. Scherzer's absence doesn't come as a surprise, considering he recently had to pause his throwing program after not feeling as well as he had hoped during a light bullpen session. Working his way back from a teres major muscle strain in his right shoulder, Scherzer still hopes to be available at some point during the playoffs. It's not a guarantee that it will happen, however, and it might require the Rangers to make a deep postseason run.
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  • Rangers' Max Scherzer: Dials back to flat-ground work

    Scherzer (shoulder) has been limited to flat-ground work since throwing a light bullpen session last Wednesday, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports. Scherzer hasn't had a setback as he works his way back from a teres major muscle strain in his right shoulder. However, he did indicate that he didn't feel as good as he hoped to when throwing off the bump. "I'm still in the recovery process from a strain," Scherzer said. "I think the thing I learned from my bullpen session is how much you need the teres major to get down the slope of the mound. The slope really amplifies it way more than I thought." Scherzer remains hopeful of returning at some point during the playoffs for the Rangers but is not setting a target date. "I guess the best way to put it is you feel better than you actually are," he said. "The next time I get on the mound, I want to be a lot stronger. I've got to be the that much more healed."
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  • Rangers' Max Scherzer: Throws off mound

    Scherzer (shoulder) threw a light bullpen session Wednesday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports. Wednesday's bullpen session comes just two weeks after Scherzer was diagnosed with a low-grade strain of the teres major muscle in his right shoulder -- an injury that was expected to take 8-to-12 weeks to recover from. Multiple additional mound sessions will be required before Scherzer is able to progress to facing hitters, but the 39-year-old seems determined to make it back to the Rangers' rotation for the postseason.
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  • Rangers' Max Scherzer: Ramping up throwing program

    Scherzer (shoulder) upped the intensity of his flat-ground throwing Monday, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports. We're only two weeks into the projected 8-to-12 week timetable Scherzer was given after being diagnosed with a low-grade strain of the teres major muscle in his right shoulder. Clearly, Scherzer is doing his best to beat that timeline, perhaps by a significant margin. "It's another step forward," Scherzer said. "I'm continuing to strengthen my arm. [Throwing off] the mound is close." Scherzer still has multiple hurdles to clear, but he's giving himself a shot to make it back for a potential Rangers postseason run.
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