Texas Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer (back) said the injury that forced him to leave Game 3 of the World Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night after three innings is not a strain but a spasm. He said it's happened to him before and he was clear in 48-72 hours, but other times it's been worse. We won't know how serious the injury is for another couple of days or whether Scherzer will be available for the rest of the best-of-seven series. The 39-year-old future Hall of Famer threw three shutout innings before his premature exit. Tuesday's outing was a nice bounce-back performance from Scherzer, who allowed seven earned runs in 6 2/3 innings in his first two starts of the postseason against the Houston Astros in the ALCS.

Texas Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer (back) called the athletic trainer out to the mound as he was warming up for the fourth inning in Game 3 of the World Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday and was eventually removed from the game. The 39-year-old future Hall of Famer is dealing with back tightness. Before departing early, he was shutting down the Snakes with just two hits allowed, two walks and one strikeout in three scoreless innings. Scherzer was replaced by right-hander Jon Gray, who was scheduled to start Game 4 of the series on Tuesday. Scherzer was added to the roster for the ALCS after being out since mid-September with a right-shoulder injury. It remains to be seen if he'll be available again in the World Series.

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Max Scherzer will be third in line to take the bump against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Scherzer will start the first game in Arizona. The 39-year-old struggled in two starts of the ALCS against the Houston Astros. It had been more than a month between appearances for Scherzer, so rust could have contributed to some of his struggles. He also said he's had a cut on his thumb that hindered his performance. With all being said, Scherzer is on the shortlist of competitors you'd want to start a pivotal Game 3 of the World Series for you.

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (thumb) said he was bothered by a cut near the nail across his thumb during the ALCS. Mad Max doesn't think it will be a problem in the World Series, however. The 39-year-old gave up seven earned runs over 6 2/3 innings during the ALCS. Manager Bruce Bochy hasn't named a starter beyond Game 1, so we're not sure if Scherzer will be starting Game 2 or Game 3.

Texas Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer (shoulder) will make the start against the division-rival Houston Astros in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series on Wednesday in Texas, according to manager Bruce Bochy. Scherzer made the roster for the ALCS and was available to pitch in relief in Game 1 on Sunday, but the Rangers didn't use him in their 2-0 victory, so now the 39-year-old future Hall of Famer will make his debut in this year's postseason on Wednesday. Scherzer is a freak of nature, but he's almost 40 and hasn't pitched in a big-league game since Sept. 12. He will most likely be on a pitch count, which will limit his DFS upside. In his last start against the Astros with Texas on Sept. 6, Scherzer surrendered a whopping seven earned runs (three homers) in just three innings to take a loss.

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (shoulder) will be available to make an appearance out of the bullpen during Game 1 of the ALCS on Sunday against the division-rival Houston Astros, said manager Bruce Bochy. Bochy said the Rangers are looking to start him, but they could be flexible in Games 3 and 4 if Scherzer is needed Sunday. Scherzer made the roster for this series against the Houston Astros after not pitching in the ALDS as he returns from a strained teres-major muscle in his right shoulder.

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (shoulder) is on the ALCS roster. The Championship Series begins Sunday in Houston. The veteran hurler suffered a teres-major strain in his throwing shoulder back in September and appeared to be a long shot to pitch in the postseason at one point. However, he has worked his way back and should be able to pitch in the ALCS. With Jordan Montgomery and Nathan Eovaldi scheduled to start Games 1 and 2, respectively, Scherzer could end up starting in Game 3 or 4 when the series shifts back to Arlington. When Scherzer does make his postseason debut with the Rangers, he will surely be on a pitch count.

Texas Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer (shoulder) said he's good to go for the American League Championship Series against the division-rival Houston Astros, which begins on Sunday. Scherzer threw a bullpen session on Friday after throwing a simulated game on Wednesday "hungover" after celebrating the NLDS win over the Baltimore Orioles. The 39-year-old also went through pitchers' fielding practice on Friday. He is now almost five weeks removed from a strain of his right teres-major muscle and is fully expected to be included on the roster for the ALCS. Whether he's used in a starting or relief role is to be determined, though, and it's fair to wonder how effective Scherzer will be against a strong Astros lineup since he hasn't pitched in a competitive game since Sept. 12.

Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said starting pitcher Max Scherzer's (shoulder) simulated game on Wednesday left him "real encouraged." Scherzer continues to work his way back from a right teres major muscle strain that has shelved him since Sep. 12, hurling roughly 60 pitches during Wednesday's session. While no decision has been made on the 39-year-old's status for the upcoming ALCS roster, it's fair to speculate Scherzer could be available in some capacity, whether it be as a starter or out of the bullpen. Game 1 doesn't take place until Sunday, so we might have to wait a bit longer for another update on the multi-time Cy Young award winner's recovery progress.

Texas Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer (shoulder) said he will throw a simulated game on Wednesday to see how many pitches he can build up to. Scherzer said his arm felt normal on Tuesday. This will be Scherzer's second simulated game, with his first going three innings before the American League Division Series. The 39-year-old future Hall of Famer is building back up after suffering a right teres-major muscle strain in the middle of September, and barring a setback, he is still in play to return to the team's starting rotation now that the Rangers have advanced to the Championship Series. Scherzer's return could be a real boost to Texas' rotation, but he'd be risky in DFS and could be on a very short leash if he makes the ALCS roster. The Rangers might also decide he's not ready unless they advance to the World Series.

Texas Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer (shoulder) was not included on the roster for the American League Division Series, which begins on Saturday in Baltimore against the Orioles. This doesn't really come as a surprise with Scherzer currently rehabbing a strained teres major muscle in his right shoulder that he suffered in the middle of September. The 39-year-old was able to throw two innings of live batting practice on Friday and felt good, but he still needs more time to build up his arm. Even if the Rangers advance past the Orioles to the Championship Series, Scherzer is no guarantee to be ready to pitch in meaningful games. A best-case scenario could have him return eventually in a relief role if he's not stretched out enough to be a starter.

Texas Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer (shoulder) said he felt good on Friday after throwing two innings of live batting practice, but the real test will be how he feels on Saturday. It's too soon to tell with Scherzer, so he'll most likely not be included on the roster for the American League Division Series against the Baltimore Orioles, which begins on Saturday. Scherzer is hoping to rejoin the team at some point during the playoffs after suffering a teres-major muscle injury in his right shoulder on Sept. 12, but at this point, the best-case scenario might be for the future Hall of Famer to join the Rangers in a relief role since he's not fully stretched out. The best bet is that the 39-year-old hurler will return if Texas advances to the Championship Series.

Texas Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer (shoulder) will throw live batting practice on Friday as the team works to determine if/when he can return to their starting rotation during the postseason. The Rangers kick off the American League Division Series on Saturday in Baltimore against the Orioles, but Scherzer might not be ready to pitch in real games by then. Scherzer threw his first bullpen on Wednesday and apparently didn't have any setbacks. The future Hall of Famer is attempting to return from a right teres-major muscle strain that he suffered near the end of the regular season. If the 39-year-old ace eventually returns to pitch in the postseason for Texas, he'll be even more risky for DFS lineups at likely less than 100 percent.

Texas Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer (shoulder) threw what is being described as an "intense" bullpen session Wednesday afternoon in Arlington. "This one was real," Scherzer said after describing his previous bullpen as a light session. He also noted that he was pain-free during the outing. It's still unclear if and when Scherzer will be available to the Rangers this postseason, as his recovery from Wednesday's session will play a key role in his timetable. The veteran worked to a 3.77 ERA across 27 starts this season, including a 3.20 mark across eight starts since he was acquired by the Rangers from the Mets at the MLB trade deadline. He has battled injuries over the last couple of seasons, which should knock his fantasy stock down a few pegs heading into next season.

Texas Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer (shoulder) is still progressing and isn't ready to take the next step after testing his strained right shoulder with a bullpen session. "I'm still in the recovery process from a strain," Scherzer said. "I think the thing I learned from my bullpen session is how much you need the teres major to get down the slope of the mound. The slope really amplifies it way more than I thought." The 39-year-old future Hall of Famer has been limited to flat-ground work since his bullpen session, but he hasn't had a setback. There's no timetable for Scherzer's return to the Rangers' starting rotation, but they're going to need to make a deep playoff run to give him a chance to return.

Texas Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer (shoulder) threw a light bullpen session on Wednesday and will see how he feels on Thursday. Scherzer and the Rangers aren't putting a timeline on his potential return after he was diagnosed with a low-grade strain of the teres-major muscle in his right shoulder two weeks ago, although he was expected to miss anywhere from eight to 12 weeks. The 39-year-old future Hall of Famer is making progress, but he still has a ways to go before he's ready to start facing live hitters again. The Rangers are going to need to make a deep playoff run for Scherzer to have a chance at rejoining their starting rotation.

Texas Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer (shoulder) ramped up the intensity of his flat-ground throwing session on Monday. "It's another step forward," Scherzer said. "I'm continuing to strengthen my arm. [Throwing off] the mound is close." When the Rangers placed Scherzer on the injured list two weeks ago with a right teres-major strain, he was expected to miss anywhere from eight to 12 weeks. There's no guarantee that the 39-year-old will be able to make it back into the Rangers' starting rotation if they make a deep playoff run, but Scherzer is going to try his best to be ready. After being acquired from the New York Mets at the deadline, Scherzer was better for Texas, going 4-2 with a 3.20 ERA (3.41 FIP), 0.96 WHIP and 53 strikeouts in 45 innings over eight starts.

Texas Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer (shoulder) is expected to miss the rest of the regular season after being diagnosed with a strained teres major, a muscle that connects the scapula to the humerus. According to general manager Chris Young, Scherzer is "unlikely" to pitch in the postseason. It's brutal news for Scherzer and the Rangers the rest of the way after they acquired him at this year's trade deadline from the New York Mets. The 39-year-old three-time Cy Young winner was 4-2 with a 3.20 ERA (3.42 FIP), 0.95 WHIP, 15 walks and 53 strikeouts in 45 innings over eight starts for Texas. Overall, he went 13-6 with a 3.77 ERA (4.33 FIP), 1.12 WHIP and 174 strikeouts in 152 2/3 innings (27 starts) this year.

Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said that right-hander Max Scherzer (triceps) will get an MRI exam on Wednesday after dealing with a right-triceps spasm during his start on Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays. It could be a good sign that Scherzer wanted to pitch through the issue, but the Rangers wouldn't let that happen. He still picked up his 13th win of the year by going 5 1/3 scoreless innings with three hits, one walk and two strikeouts to lower his season ERA to 3.77. The 39-year-old All-Star should be considered up in the air for his next scheduled start next Monday, depending on the results of his MRI exam and how he feels in the coming days. Scherzer has been strong since coming to the Rangers in a trade with the New York Mets, as he entered Tuesday's game with a 3.63 ERA (3.46 FIP), 0.98 WHIP, 14 walks and 51 K's in 39 2/3 innings in his seven starts in a Rangers uniform.

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (triceps) was removed from his Tuesday start against the Toronto Blue Jays after 5 1/3 innings following a right triceps spasm, according to Jeff Wilson of Rangers Today. He was pitching a shutout before his exit but with just two strikeouts and one walk. The three-time Cy Young recipient has shown signs of regression this season, as he's authored a 3.77 ERA and 1.12 WHIP with 174 punchouts over 152 2/3 innings of work split between the New York Mets and the Rangers. Still, Scherzer is a four-category contributor, so fantasy managers in all formats should stay tuned for updates.