Rangers' Max Scherzer to Miss Playoffs & Remainder of Season Due to Injury

• MLB

The Texas Rangers received a major setback Wednesday when General Manager Chris Young disclosed to the Dallas Morning News that star right-hander Max Scherzer would be sidelined for the remainder of the regular season. Scherzer suffered a teres major strain, a muscle injury connecting the arm to the shoulder blade, during Tuesday night's matchup against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Although the Rangers triumphed with a 6-3 win, the victory was bittersweet due to Scherzer's early exit. Originally, the Rangers' medical team suspected a triceps strain. However, after further tests on Wednesday, the true nature and severity of Scherzer's condition were unveiled.

Notably, Justin Verlander, formerly Scherzer's colleague at the Mets, was benched at the season's onset with a similar injury.

Scherzer's Sudden Game Exit

The scene on Tuesday was a disheartening one. After a brief discussion with the Rangers' medical staff on the field, Scherzer attempted some warmup throws.

But he halted twice, never releasing the ball. The game saw Scherzer delivering 5 1/3 scoreless innings before this abrupt departure. Boasting a 3.77 ERA and 1.12 WHIP this season, his performance has been exemplary. Before the trade deadline, the Rangers had acquired Scherzer as a strategic move to fill the void left by Jacob deGrom's Tommy John surgery.

With All-Star Nathan Eovaldi only recently returning from an injury and not yet in full form, the Rangers' rotation, which includes Jordan Montgomery, Jon Gray, and Dane Dunning, is now under increased scrutiny. With both Andrew Heaney and Martín Pérez previously bumped from the rotation, one might be reinstated to replace Scherzer.

A pivotal point to note is Scherzer's agreement with the Rangers during his trade. He decided against opting out this offseason. Consequently, he will remain under contract for a staggering $43.3 million next season, with the Rangers footing $22.5 million and the Mets covering the balance.

As the Rangers vie for a postseason slot, they're currently trailing by a game in the AL West and holding a narrow lead over the Mariners and Blue Jays for the final AL wild-card spot. Scherzer's absence could be a defining factor in their playoff aspirations.