Texas Rangers Set ALDS Roster for Baltimore Orioles Showdown, Max Scherzer Not Active

The Texas Rangers had to get their official roster down to 26 players before Game 1 vs. Baltimore on Saturday.

The Texas Rangers made their final moves, setting their American League Divisional Series roster against the Baltimore Orioles starting Saturday at Camden Yards.

The opener was scheduled for noon CT, but delayed to 1:15 due to weather. 

The biggest question going in was how the Rangers would build their pitching staff, given that the series could go five games as opposed to the three maximum for the Wild Card series.

Two pitchers on the injured list that the Rangers could have activated — Jon Gray and Max Scherzer — remain out. Scherzer is dealing with a strained teres muscle (upper shoulder) that team officials believed would keep him out of the postseason. He threw a live batting practice Friday in Baltimore, certainly a sign of progress.

Scherzer, however, remains an option for the ALDS roster as an injury replacement, according to manager Bruce Bochy.

Rookie left-hander Cody Bradford, after being left off the Wild Card roster, is back on over Garrett Anderson. That is the only change from the Wild Card round.

The Rangers also left Jonathan Hernández off, as he continues to deal with an injury that kept him out for the Wild Card series. Ezequiel Duran was left off again.

The Rangers are seeking to advance to the American League Championship Series for the first time since 2011, where they would play either the Houston Astros or Minnesota Twins. Should the Rangers advance, they will be able to reset their roster.

Sunday’s Game 2, also in Baltimore, is set for 3 p.m. When the series shifts to Arlington for Game 3 on Tuesday, the start time is 7 p.m.

Game 4 is in Arlington on Wednesday and Game 5 is in Baltimore on Friday, if necessary. Game times have not been set yet.

Texas Rangers Postseason Roster

Pitchers: Cody Bradford, Brock Burke, Matt Bush, Aroldis Chapman, Dane Dunning, Nathan Eovaldi, Andrew Heaney, José Leclerc, Jordan Montgomery, Martín Pérez, Josh Sborz, 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

Will Rangers Move Evan Carter Up?

You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.

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