Scherzer (back) will likely make his first rehab start Wednesday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Scherzer didn't experience any issues after throwing 40 pitches in a simulated game Friday, and he now seems ready to test his surgically-repaired back in a competitive setting. It's unclear exactly how many rehab starts it will take for the 39-year-old veteran to build up to a starter's workload, though the goal remains for him to make his season debut sometime in early May.

Scherzer (back) threw 25 pitches of live batting practice Monday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Initial evaluations pegged Scherzer to return in June, but the pitcher says he's now eying an early May return. "We're not ready to say a date, but we're looking at early May in being able to come back," Scherzer said. The next step is throwing 40 pitches Friday, and a first rehab start could come as early as next week.

Scherzer (back) completed a bullpen session Tuesday and expected to throw live batting practice next week, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran right-hander continues to build up his workload as he makes his way back from December surgery to address a herniated disc, and he's closing in on the final stages of his rehab program. Scherzer could progress to a minor-league rehab assignment soon after facing live hitters, keeping a potential return in May on the table.

The Rangers placed Scherzer (back) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

According to Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News, Scherzer threw a bullpen session Tuesday, which is believed to be the first time he stepped back on the mound since undergoing surgery in December to address a herniated disc in his back. Scherzer said that his pitching arm feels good, and he estimated that he's in what would be the early February portion of his throwing program if he had been coming into a normal spring training rather than rehabbing from surgery. Rangers general manager Chris Young said Wednesday that there are no plans at this point to shift Scherzer to the 60-day injured list, per Buster Olney of ESPN, suggesting the veteran right-hander could be ready to rejoin the rotation before the end of May.

Scherzer (back) was spotted playing catch Wednesday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Scherzer is in the initial stages of his throwing program as he makes his way back from his December surgery to address a herniated disc in his back. Manager Bruce Bochy said earlier this month that the organization is hopeful Scherzer will be ready to make his season debut at some point in June, though a clear target date for the right-hander's return probably won't come into focus until he reaches the point in his rehab where he's facing hitters.

Scherzer (back) has been cleared for baseball activities, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.

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).

EDGE Analysis

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.

Scherzer (back) said Saturday that he's about three weeks away from resuming workouts, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

The Rangers removed Scherzer (back) from their World Series roster Tuesday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.