Max Scherzer Returns! Texas Rangers Make Huge Pitching Moves, Set ALCS Roster

The Texas Rangers have added two starting pitchers, Max Scherzer and Jon Gray, to the American League Championship roster.

The Texas Rangers set their American League Championship Series roster Sunday morning to face the Houston Astros.

Game 1 of the best-of-seven is Sunday night at 7:03 p.m. at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

The biggest question going into the ALCS was the availability of two pitchers that have been on the injured list since the start of the postseason — Max Scherzer and Jon Gray.

The Rangers answered that question on Sunday morning by deciding to activate both from the injured list.

Max Scherzer had been itching to return to the Rangers roster during the playoffs / © Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports

To make room for Scherzer and Gray, the Rangers left pitchers Brock Burke, Matt Bush and Jonathan Hernández off the roster. Hernández missed both the AL Wild Card Series and the AL Division Series with an injury.

Also left off was Ezequiel Duran, who has yet to be on the Rangers postseason roster but is healthy.

Scherzer had been out since Sept. 12 with a strained teres major muscle (upper shoulder) that he suffered against Toronto. The Rangers had left him off both the AL Wild Card and Division Series rosters, though manager Bruce Bochy said Scherzer could have been an injury replacement later in the ALDS.

Scherzer was 4-2 with a 3.20 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 45 innings since joining the Rangers via a trade on Aug. 1. Scherzer is 7-7 with one save in 27 postseason appearances, with a 3.58 ERA and 164 strikeouts in 133 1/3 innings.

Gray has been out since late September with a strained right forearm. Gray went 9-8 with a 4.12 ERA in the regular season, his second with the Rangers after signing as a free agent before the 2022 season.

The Rangers are seeking to advance to the World Series for the first time since 2011.

Texas Rangers Postseason Roster

Pitchers: Cody Bradford, Aroldis Chapman, Dane Dunning, Nathan Eovaldi, Jon Gray, Andrew Heaney, José Leclerc, Jordan Montgomery, Martín Pérez, Josh Sborz, Max Scherzer, Will Smith, Chris Stratton

Catchers: Mitch Garver, Austin Hedges, Jonah Heim

Infielders: Josh Jung, Nathaniel Lowe, Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Josh H. Smith

Outfielders: Evan Carter, Adolis García, Robbie Grossman, Travis Jankowski, Leody Taveras

2023 ALCS schedule (FOX/FS1)

Game 1: Sunday at Houston, 7:15 p.m. (Fox)

Game 2: Monday at Houston, 3:37 p.m. (Fox or FS1)

Game 3: Wednesday at Globe Life Field, 7:03 p.m. (FS1)

Game 4: Oct. 19 at Globe Life Field, 7:03 p.m. (FS1)

Game 5*: Oct. 20 at Globe Life Field, 4:07 p.m. (FS1)

Game 6*: Oct. 22 at Houston, 7:03 p.m. (FS1)

Game 7*: Oct. 23 at Houston, 7:03 p.m. (Fox/FS1)

*If necessary

Recapping Rangers, Astros Season Series

You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.

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