ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Max Scherzer was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday because of right shoulder fatigue, though Texas manager Bruce Bochy doesn't expect the three-time Cy Young Award winner and active career strikeout leader to be out any longer than that.
“We don’t think it’ll be more than 15 days,” Bochy said after the Rangers' 11-6 loss to Boston. “Yeah, he actually thinks a couple more days he could be ready. But we have some concern for him. We want to take care of him and have him for the rest of the year. That’s why we’re giving him a break right now.”
Scherzer (2-4) has made only eight starts since his season debut June 23 following offseason back surgery and then dealing with a nerve issue in his arm.
The Rangers had announced the move about 90 minutes before the homestand opener, after Bochy had already completed his pregame meeting with reporters. The move was retroactive to Wednesday, a day after Scherzer didn’t pitch past the fourth inning for the third time in a span of four starts.
Scherzer, who was born in St. Louis and grew up in the area, allowed three runs in four innings while throwing 68 pitches in a loss against the Cardinals on Tuesday night. His five strikeouts pushed his career total to 3,405.
Bochy said after that game that Scherzer’s arm “just fatigued there,” and that he could feel it in his triceps.
Scherzer said that night that he was “trying to grind through these starts and ramp up.” He added that he just needed an extra day and didn’t need to go on the IL.
The Rangers had an off day Thursday, so had they stayed in order, his next turn would have been Monday. Now the earliest he would be available again is Aug. 15.
In his last home start July 25, two days before this 40th birthday, Scherzer allowed one run and struck out nine over six innings against the Chicago White Sox. He passed fellow three-time Cy Young winner Justin Verlander for 10th on the strikeout list — and the most among active pitchers.
Losing Scherzer puts the Rangers rotation in more flux. Jon Gray is on the IL for the second time this season with a right groin strain after getting hurt on his final warmup pitch before his scheduled start last Sunday, and the earliest he could return is Aug. 13. They completed a deal Monday to trade right-hander Michael Lorenzen.
“You've got to power through it, that's all you can do,” Bochy said. “You've got to piece it together and keep battling. That's all you can do.”
Tyler Mahle could make his Rangers debut Tuesday, nearly 15 months after Tommy John surgery. Texas signed the right-hander to a $22 million, two-year contract in free agency last winter with the anticipation that he could pitch this season.
Two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom is scheduled to throw another bullpen session Saturday and will progress to throwing to hitters if all goes well then. He is recovering from his own right elbow surgery, which came after he went 2-0 with a 2.67 ERA in his only six starts early last season after signing with Texas in free agency.
When putting Scherzer on the IL, the Rangers recalled left-handed reliever Walter Pennington from Triple-A Round Rock. He had been assigned to that minor league club after the Rangers acquired him Monday in a trade that sent Lorenzen to Kansas City.
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Texas Rangers starting pitcher Max Scherzer reacts after walking Baltimore Orioles' Ryan O'Hearn during the second inning of a baseball game, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. The Orioles scored four runs in the inning. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
With his third strikeout, which came in the second inning Texas Rangers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) moves to tenth on the all-time strikeout list in a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Max Scherzer throws in the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)
BANGKOK (AP) — It's a big day for LGBTQ+ couples in Thailand.
On Thursday, they gained the legal right to register their marriages, making it the first country in Southeast Asia and the third place in Asia to recognize same-sex unions, after Taiwan and Nepal. In central Bangkok, a popular shopping mall held a daylong gala to help accommodate the hundreds of same-sex couples who wanted to register their marriages on the very first day.
Thailand has a reputation for acceptance and inclusivity but struggled for decades to pass a marriage equality law. Thai society has broadly conservative values, and members of the LGBTQ+ community say they face discrimination in everyday life, while also saying they've seen great improvement in recent years.
The marriage equality bill was officially written into law on Sept. 24, after it was endorsed by King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
The government led by the Pheu Thai party made marriage equality one of its main goals after coming to power in 2023. It had a major presence at the annual Bangkok Pride parade in June, with thousands of people celebrating in one of Bangkok’s busiest commercial districts.
The Associated Press spoke with seven same-sex couples in the days before the law took effect:
“This law doesn’t only equate life. It is life! At long last, Thailand’s society accepts the legality of all marriages in our land, regardless of sexual orientation. With that one sentence, lost or wasted lives have been rescued. Spirits restored. The whole country is better off.” — Jakrapob Penkair
“The marriage equality law will bring about a multitude of positive outcomes, especially by providing greater security and legal assurances for our relationships, including better access to health care and other protections. I’m truly happy this day has finally become a reality,” — Prorawin Battemdee
“The enforcement of the marriage equality law is proof that regardless of our gender, we all share the same basic human rights in every aspect under Thai law. It also paves the way for other countries in Asia, highlighting the importance of recognizing each other’s human values and enabling everyone to live.” — Kullayahnut Akkharasretthabudh
“This law will grant both of us the right to take care of each other, legally sign consent for the other’s medical treatment, and provide each other with lifelong security. When one of us dies, the law will ensure that our bond is recognized and protected.” — Chantamas Hemapanpairo
"We’re quite fortunate. We have a supportive social circle, friends, and family who accept us for who we are and accept the person we love. Marriage, it seems, isn’t everything that fulfills us emotionally. “However, ultimately, we believe that as two human beings, we should be granted the same basic legal rights as heterosexual couples. We are a complete family in spirit, but legal recognition would alleviate our future anxieties. In the end, we aren’t asking for anything special — we just want a simple, happy family life.” — Patherine Khunnares
“Before the marriage equality bill became law, I personally felt that I could only use the word ‘partner.’ But from now on, it’s ‘family.’ — Jutarat Chuenpae
“The marriage equality law allows everyone’s lives to complete each other without any further discrimination.” — Panuwat Srisawat
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FILE - Participants hold a rainbow flag during the Pride Parade in Bangkok, Thailand, June 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, File)
Panuwat Srisawat, 35, hair creative, left, and Kritsanai Promsiriruk, 62, actor, stand for a portrait in Bangkok, Thailand, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Nutanong sopon, 43, left, and Jutarat chuenpae, 37, both business owners, hold hands and jump for a photograph in Bangkok, Thailand, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025, (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Patherine Khunnares, 37, web designer, left, and Vivian Chullamon, 36, researcher, stand for a photograph in Bangkok, Thailand, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Chantamas Hemapanpairo, 52, business owner, and Sirada Thongchua, 38, teacher, pose for a portrait in Bangkok, Thailand, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Juthatip Suttiwong, 24, chef, left, and Kullayahnut Akkharasretthabudh, 38, real estate owner, pose for a portrait in Bangkok, Thailand, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Pitee Chuchomchuen, 39, designer, left, and Prorawin Battemdee, 40, public relations officer, pose for a photograph in Bangkok, Thailand, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Jakrapob Penkair, right, 57, former Prime Minister's Office minister, and Supraipon Chuaychoo, 44, tourism business owner, sit for a photograph in Bangkok, Thailand, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)