Max Scherzer season debut: Rangers ace says he’ll make first 2024 start Sunday after back, thumb issues [Video]

The Texas Rangers‘ three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer will be activated off the injured list and make his 2024 debut on Sunday against the Kansas City Royals, Scherzer on Saturday told reporters, including MLB.com’s Kennedi Landry. Scherzer had offseason back surgery and has not pitched this season. He also dealt with a thumb issue during his minor-league rehab assignment.

“I’m ready to get back out there,” Scherzer said following his rehab start this past Saturday (via the Associated Press). “… I’m just trying to rejoin the rotation wherever they want to reinsert me.”

Scherzer, 40 next month, made a 2 1/3-inning rehab start on April 24, before the thumb issue popped up. He returned to the mound earlier this month and threw four innings and 53 pitches in a rehab game on June 9, and 4 2/3 innings and 79 …