Starters Max Scherzer and Jon Gray are slated to make their long-anticipated returns for the American League Championship Series, the Texas Rangers announced on Sunday.
After both were exempt from the Rangers' roster for the Divison Series against the Baltimore Orioles, both have been included on the team sheet for the series against the Houston Astros.
Scherzer, 39, has been sidelined since Sep. 12 while dealing with a shoulder strain suffered in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Rangers traded for the three-time Cy Young winner ahead of the trade deadline after spending the first half of the year with the New York Mets. Since coming to Texas, he holds a 4-2 record and a 3.20 ERA.
Scherzer won the World Series with the Washington Nationals in 2019, notching five starts while putting up a 2.40 ERA during the run to the pennant.
He's been taking part in bullpen sessions and was seen pitching a live-game simulation during batting practice ahead of the Rangers' series against the Orioles. He said he was "ready to go" following a bullpen session and fielding drills on Friday.
“I feel good. Recovered, checked all of the boxes I possibly can,” Scherzer said during a workout at Globe Life Field before the team travelled to Houston. “So I’m ready to go.”
Gray, 31, has been dealing with a forearm strain since Sep. 29 and was placed on the 15-day IL.
He joined the Rangers as a free agent in 2021 after spending the first seven years of his career with the Colorado Rockies. He finished with a 9-8 record this season in 29 starts while putting up a 4.12 ERA.
Gray has never pitched in the post-season.
Ahead of Game 1, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said the team is hoping to use Scherzer as a starter and that he would be available in case of emergency Sunday. He also said that Gray would only be used in the series opener if absolutely necessary.
To make room for Scherzer and Gray, the Rangers removed left-hander Brock Burke and right-hander Matt Bush from the roster.
For the Astros, their only change from the Division Series was replacing outfielder Jake Meyers with right-handed reliever Ronel Blanco. Manager Dusty Baker announced Saturday that reliever Kendall Graveman would not be on the roster as he continues to deal with discomfort in his right shoulder.
Astros general manager Dana Brown said Blanco provides length and flexibility in the bullpen and the team thought it needed go with 13 pitchers for the best-of-seven series. As for Graveman, who last pitched Sept. 30, the GM said he is getting better.
“This would be like if it was a regular season it would be a 10-day IL stint with maybe some extra time,” Brown said. “I think, from talking to Graveman, he feels a little bit better, just not good enough to go on this roster for this round. So I still think there’s hope, if we get beyond this, that it will be fine, he’ll be good to go.”
Each team has 13 position players and 13 pitchers on its roster.
Game 1 of their series takes place on Sunday at 8:15 p.m. ET / 5:15 p.m. PT. You can catch all the action on Sportsnet or Sportsnet+.
-- With files from the Associated Press
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