Starters Max Scherzer and Jon Gray are slated to make their long-anticipated returns for the American League Championship Series, the Texas Rangers announced on Sunday.
After both were exempt from the Rangers‘ roster for the Divison Series against the Baltimore Orioles, both have been included on the team sheet for the series against the Houston Astros.
Scherzer, 39, has been sidelined since Sep. 12 while dealing with a shoulder strain suffered in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Rangers traded for the three-time Cy Young winner ahead of the trade deadline after spending the first half of the year with the New York Mets. Since coming to Texas, he holds a 4-2 record and a 3.20 ERA.
Scherzer won the World Series with the Washington Nationals in 2019, notching five starts while putting up a 2.40 ERA during the run to the pennant.
He’s been taking part in bullpen sessions and was seen pitching a live-game simulation during batting practice ahead of the Rangers’ series against the Orioles. He said he was “ready to go” following a bullpen session and fielding drills on Friday.
“I feel good. Recovered, checked all of the boxes I possibly can,” Scherzer said during a workout at Globe Life Field before the team travelled to Houston. “So I’m ready to go.”
Gray, 31, has been dealing with a forearm strain since Sep. 29 and was placed on the 15-day IL.
He joined the Rangers as a free agent in 2021 after spending the first seven years of his career with the Colorado Rockies. He finished with a 9-8 record this season in 29 starts while putting up a 4.12 ERA.
Gray has never pitched in the post-season.
The Rangers haven’t announced how they’ll deploy the two pitchers. The probable pitchers for Games 1 and 2 are Jordan Montgomery and Nathan Eovaldi respectively. They also haven’t added details as to whether or not the two will be used out of the bullpen.
To make room for Scherzer and Gray, the Rangers removed left-hander Brock Burke and right-hander Matt Bush from the roster.
For the Astros, their only change from the Division Series was replacing outfielder Jake Meyers with right-handed reliever Ronel Blanco. Manager Dusty Baker announced Saturday that reliever Kendall Graveman would not be on the roster as he continues to deal with discomfort in his right shoulder.
Game 1 of their series takes place on Sunday at 8:15 p.m. ET / 5:15 p.m. PT. You can catch all the action on Sportsnet or Sportsnet+.
— With files from the Associated Press
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