Max Scherzer, the veteran right-handed pitcher for the Texas Rangers of the Major League Baseball (MLB), is preparing to play in the American League Championship Series (ALCS, best of seven) despite his right shoulder pain, according to U.S. media on the 14th (Korean time).
Scherzer hurried his return after doing pitcher fielding practice (PFP) at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on the same day.
After finishing his training, Scherzer confidently updated his status, saying, “I only do PFP twice a year, once during spring camp and once before the postseason,” and added, “I’ve done everything I can check. I feel good. I’m ready to pitch.”
The Texas team has not yet revealed the roster for the ALCS. If Scherzer gets the final OK after his medical check, he will head to Houston, Texas, where the first game of the ALCS is scheduled to take place.
Scherzer ended the regular league early in mid-September due to pain in his right arm and shoulder.
After moving from the New York Mets to Texas in the middle of the season and achieving a record of 4 wins and 2 losses with an earned run average of 3.20, Scherzer, who has high expectations, has a chance to redeem his honor in the fall baseball season.
As Texas, which started the postseason as a wildcard, has been on a winning streak with five consecutive victories against the Tampa Bay Rays and the Baltimore Orioles, advancing to the ALCS for the first time in 12 years, the stage is set for Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, to finally make his name.
Even while on the injured list, Scherzer continued his pitching practice and recently completed bullpen pitching, live pitching with a batter, and defensive training, signaling his return.
MLB.com predicts that if Scherzer joins the ALCS starting rotation, he will pitch as the third starter following Jordan Montgomery and Nathan Eovaldi.
Texas will compete against the Houston Astros, last year’s World Series champions, for the World Series spot in the ALCS starting from the 16th.
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