Thursday newsletter time: Max Scherzer nursing a cut thumb, but doesn’t seem concerned
(AP photo/Tony Gutierrez)
ARLINGTON — Max Scherzer likes to break news.
The right-hander, while sitting down with Fox Sports after Game 7, said that his shoulder feels great, but now he’s working through a thumb issue.
Say again?
He confirmed it Tuesday afternoon before the Rangers worked out ahead of the start of the World Series on Friday. Scherzer was wearing a small Band-Aid over a small cut between his thumbnail and the first knuckle.
Scherzer also confirmed that he hadn’t been juggling knives or doing something goofy when the cut occurred. He said it was caused by the seams of the baseball breaking the skin in an area that is usually calloused but wasn’t because he needed a month on the injured lust.
As concerning as that might sound. Scherzer threw a bullpen session without any issues. He said the pain isn’t a big deal, and the only thing that would keep him from pitching is if the cut were to open and start bleeding.
That seems unlikely with perhaps as many as five more days before he pitches in the Fall Classic.
It will be his third World Series, all with different teams. He was on the losing end of the 2012 World Series with the Tigers but won in 2019 with the Nationals. This is also the Rangers’ third World Series.
How about one more third? His next start with be his third since coming off the injured list for the American League Championship Series. He was the losing pitcher in Game 3, allowing five runs in four innings, and took a no-decision in Game 7 after allowing two runs in 2 2/3 innings.
The Rangers could line up Scherzer again for Game 3 and Game 7. Nathan Eovaldi will start Friday in the World Series opener, and left-hander Jordan Montgomery is expected to start Saturday in Game 2.
Giving Chase
Manager Bruce Bochy has managed more than 100 games at Chase Field in Phoenix, though the Diamondbacks didn’t turn to synthetic grass there until Bochy’s final season with the Giants in 2019.
It’s the same variety of Shaw Sports Turf that the Rangers have a Globe Life Field.
“I think they’re very similar. I couldn’t tell you the difference,” Bochy said.
Chase Field used to have the worst playing surface in the game. The Diamondbacks played on natural grass from their inception, but growing grass in the blazing Arizona summers proved to be difficult and costly.
Corey Seager also played in Phoenix regularly while with the Dodgers. Every ground ball was an adventure, he said, and not just to the infield.
The weather forecast looks beautiful, so maybe MLB decides to open the roof when the series shifts to Arizona. The forecast for this weekend calls for a decent chance for rain, so expect the Globe Life Field room to be shut.
Just how Rangers Today likes it.
ICYMI …
World Series media day is today at Globe Life Field. Every player and coach from both teams, minus the managers and Game 1 starter pitchers, will sit at a table and wait to be hounded with questions. The Diamondbacks are up first. Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Adolis Garcia and Max Scherzer will draw the biggest crowds when it’s the Rangers’ turn. Rangers Today will be rolling its cameras for the YouTube channel and I’ll be trying to crank out two or three stories for website. We’ve been cranking. Here’s our latest stuff, in case you missed it.
Rangers notes: Nathan Eovaldi gets the opener
Rangers notes: Big pitch from Max Scherzer
Don’t Mess with Bombi t-shirt (use RANGERSTODAY for discount)
Official Rangers postseason gear from Fanatics
Doggy video!
Hey, he likes hats. Me, too! Enjoy.
— out of context dogs (@contextdogs) October 25, 2023
Jeff Wilson, jeff@rangerstoday.com
Scherzer may not be concerned about his cut, but I sure am. His last 2 outings have been terrible.