Texas Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer made his season debut on Sunday afternoon, delivering six shutout innings towards the Kansas Metropolis Royals (GameTracker). He surrendered only one hit, a double to MJ Melendez within the fifth to interrupt up the no-hitter, and no walks whereas placing out 4 of the 16 batters he confronted. Scherzer’s closing strikeout of the afternoon tied him for eleventh place all-time with Corridor of Fame right-hander Greg Maddux. (Maddux’s brother, Mike, fittingly serves as Scherzer’s pitching coach with the Rangers.)

Scherzer, 40 come July 27, had been sidelined by offseason again surgical procedure. He had additionally handled a thumb concern throughout his minor-league rehab stint. However, he affirmed that he was ready to return to motion.”I am able to get again on the market,” he informed reporters after final weekend’s rehab begin. “… I am simply making an attempt to rejoin the rotation wherever they need to reinsert me.”

In line with Statcast, Scherzer averaged 92.9 mph on his four-seam fastball on Sunday. That is about 0.8 mph beneath final season’s norm. Scherzer generated seven swinging strikes towards the Royals, with three of these approaching his heater and one other three on his trademark slider.

Scherzer was acquired by the Rangers final commerce deadline in a commerce with the Mets for infielder Luisangel Acuña. He subsequently began eight instances for the Rangers throughout the common season, compiling a 3.20 ERA (133 ERA+) and a 3.53 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Scherzer then suffered a forearm harm that threatened his capability to partake in Texas’ playoff sequence. He discovered a approach again, nevertheless, and ended up pitching 3 times as a part of the Rangers’ World Sequence title run. 

Scherzer’s begin on Sunday counts because the 449th of his big-league profession. He entered Sunday with profession marks that embrace a 3.15 ERA (134 ERA+) and a 4.51 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He is an eight-time All-Star and a three-time Cy Younger Award winner.