Max Scherzer Returns to Texas Rangers Ahead of ALCS vs. Houston Astros After Shoulder Injury

The Texas Rangers officially added starting pitcher Max Scherzer to their roster for the American League Championship Series, which begins Sunday night in Houston.

Scherzer, 39, has been on the injured list since Sept. 12 because of a strained teres muscle in his right shoulder. The pitcher ramped up his throwing in recent weeks and had been hopeful to return for the Rangers' postseason run.

"I've pressed all the buttons I can.  I'm ready to go….I feel normal," he told Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News on Friday. "That's all I can say.  All I can do is describe what I feel like and if I have an issue, I have to let them know. But my arm feels fresher."

Scherzer's injury was initially expected to keep him out for up to two months. Rangers general manager Chris Young told reporters on Sept. 13 that it was "unlikely" Scherzer would return for the playoffs.

But the veteran pitcher will now look to take the ball against the defending champion Houston Astros for a chance to reach the World Series. Scherzer last played in a league championship series for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2021. In 2019, he won Game 1 of the World Series and started Game 7 as the Washington Nationals won the title.

Scherzer, an eight-time All-Star, was traded to the Rangers from the New York Mets ahead of this season's trade deadline in July.

Scherzer went 4-2 with a 3.20 ERA for the Rangers in eight starts in the regular season. He has won three Cy Young Awards.