Max Scherzer scratched from start for Rangers and put on IL with hamstring strain to end season

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer was scratched from his scheduled start for the Texas Rangers on Saturday night, then put on the 15-day injured list with a left hamstring strain that means his season is over.

Dane Dunning replaced Scherzer as the starter for the middle game of a series against the AL wild card-chasing Seattle Mariners. The Rangers recalled right-hander Gerson Garabito from Triple-A Round Rock.

“Max woke up today, said his hamstring was tight, tight the point where he said he couldn’t go,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “Felt it yesterday running some sprints. Just didn’t clear up like he was hoping.”

Scherzer (2-4, 3.95 ERA) has made only one start for the Rangers since July 30. The 40-year-old right-hander was activated from the injured list last Saturday after missing 40 games with right shoulder fatigue and an arm nerve issue in his arm. He struck out six while allowing one run and four hits over four innings.

“He’s been trying hard to get back out there pitching,” Bochy said. “You want him out there. And we were hoping to see him out there on a consistent basis. We had some things that we were trying to figure out with the arm. Now it’s the hamstring. It’s been a tough year for him.”

Scherzer is in the final season of his contract. The Rangers acquired him from the New York Mets in a deadline trade last summer after the pitcher agreed to opt in on that final year for this season at $43.3 million — with New York paying $30.83 million.

After offseason back surgery, Scherzer dealt with the nerve issue during his rehab and didn’t make his season debut until June 23. His nine starts this season are his fewest since seven as a rookie for Arizona in 2008.

His 3,407 career strikeouts are 11th on baseball’s all-time list, and second among active pitchers behind fellow three-time Cy Young winner Justin Verlander. Scherzer’s 216 career wins are also second to his former teammate for active pitchers.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb