In a strategic move, the Texas Rangers have made changes to their pitching roster. They have called up right-handed pitcher Shaun Anderson to the Major League team while sending Jack Leiter down to Triple-A Round Rock. Additionally, the team has decided to move Max Scherzer to the 60-day injured list, a move that formalizes his current recovery status.
Shaun Anderson, 29, is returning to the Rangers after a brief stint with the organization in 2021, which ended with a waiver claim. Although he didn’t get a chance to pitch in the majors for Texas at that time, his recent performances have earned him the opportunity for a potential debut. He has been impressive in Triple-A Round Rock, posting a 2.53 ERA in 21 1/3 innings and striking out 26.2% of batters while maintaining a low walk rate of 4.8%.
This will be Anderson’s first return to Major League Baseball since he played one game for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2022. Throughout his career, he has had stints with the San Francisco Giants, Minnesota Twins, San Diego Padres, Baltimore Orioles, and Toronto Blue Jays, accumulating a 5.84 ERA over 135 2/3 innings in the majors. However, his performance in Triple-A has been much better, with a 3.80 ERA over 270 1/3 innings. The Rangers can freely move him between the majors and Triple-A without concerns about waivers because of his option.
The decision to adjust the roster also indicates that Max Scherzer is still in the process of recovering from offseason back surgery. Although he was initially expected to return in mid-May, his comeback has been delayed due to thumb soreness, despite recent imaging tests showing no issues with his triceps, elbow, and neck. Scherzer has received a cortisone shot for nerve irritation and is on track to resume throwing, but he will need additional time in minor league rehab before rejoining the Rangers’ lineup, likely not before June.
As part of the roster shuffle, young talent Jack Leiter is being sent back to Triple-A to make room for Anderson’s arrival. The Rangers will continue to develop Leiter in Round Rock as they adjust their roster to meet the team’s immediate needs while considering the long-term strategic positioning of their pitching staff.