As the Rangers prepare for the challenges ahead, the resurgence of these key players signifies a pivotal moment in their quest to reclaim their place among baseball’s elite, offering both fans and the organization a sense of optimism and anticipation for the season ahead.

Defending their first-ever World Series championship was always going to be a challenging task for the Texas Rangers, especially with three of their key and highest-paid starting pitchers beginning the season on the injured list.

In the absence of Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom, and Tyler Mahle on the mound at the start of the year, the Rangers struggled to a 36-40 record, falling well short of contention for an American League Wild Card spot. The absence of this trio, collectively earning $68 million this season, has significantly impacted the team’s pitching staff, resulting in middling rankings across Major League Baseball in ERA, WHIP, and total strikeouts.

However, with their impending return to full health, the Rangers still hold hope of replicating their success from the previous season.

The Rangers acquired Max Scherzer from the New York Mets just before the trade deadline in 2023. He exercised a $43.3 million player option, resulting in him earning $22.5 million in his age-39 season, with the Mets responsible for most of his salary.

Scherzer played a crucial role in Game 3 of the 2023 World Series for the Rangers but exited early due to a back injury after pitching three innings. He subsequently underwent surgery. Recently, Scherzer made a triumphant return to the mound, recording four strikeouts and conceding just one hit over five innings in a victory against the Kansas City Royals.

“After the win,” Scherzer remarked, “all signs pointed towards returning to the field. My performance and overall game were strong. However, I’m unsure about my recovery from this injury.”

There is no certainty that Scherzer will maintain a prominent role for the Rangers for the remainder of the season, but his comeback to pitching is a positive development. He recently equaled Greg Maddux’s milestone of 3,371 career strikeouts, ranking him 11th in MLB history. This achievement serves as a reminder of the skills that led to his lucrative $130 million contract in 2021.

“If the Texas Rangers are going to mount any meaningful defense of their World Series title, Max Sherzer will have to be a significant part of it,” Gabe Lacques wrote for USA Today. “Now he’s back, and for at least one start looking like his old self, and the Rangers are on a little roll as they enter another trying stretch of their season.”