Three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer set for 2024 Rangers debut: 'Champing at the bit'

Texas Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer said he will make his season debut on Sunday against the visiting Kansas City Royals.

Scherzer has been working his way back after he underwent surgery on Dec. 15 to repair a herniated disc in his back. He is also dealing with a nerve issue in his thumb.

"I'm just champing at the bit to get out there," Scherzer told reporters. "I've been doing this for six weeks now. It's extremely frustrating, but I got to turn the page. That's the hand I've been dealt. Now I've got a chance to go out there and just want to go out there and help the team win."

He was 0-1 with a 4.91 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 11 innings (three starts) with Triple-A Round Rock.

"I aced the rehab on the back surgery," Scherzer said. "I haven't had any symptoms coming from the back surgery in over two months ... This nerve stuff could mean long term damage and what it does to your arm. When you're dealing with this, bad things can happen."

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Scherzer, who turns 40 on July 27, was 4-2 last season with a 3.20 ERA in eight regular-season starts for Texas after being acquired from the New York Mets at the trade deadline.

He did not pitch in the wild-card or division series because of a shoulder strain and was 0-1 with a 9.45 ERA in two starts in the American League Championship Series. He started Game 3 of the World Series and pitched three scoreless innings in a 3-1 win against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

A three-time Cy Young Award winner and an eight-time All-Star, Scherzer is 214-108 with a 3.15 ERA and 3,367 strikeouts in 457 games (448 starts) for the Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dodgers, Mets and Rangers.