Former New York Mets Ace Out for Remainder of Season with Injury

The New York Mets came into the season with major expectations. They owned the highest payroll in Major League Baseball and had a top end rotation featuring aces Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander.

Those expectations were thwarted by poor play, forcing the team to pivot into becoming sellers at the deadline. The front office traded away five players, including their high-prized free agent pitcher acquisitions from the past two offseasons.

The Mets sent Scherzer to the Texas Rangers in exchange for top prospect Luisangel Acuna, who is ranked No. 38 in MLB.com's pipeline rankings.

Now, it's been reported by USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale that New York's former ace will miss the remainder of the season with an injury.

He writes, "Terrible news … Max Scherzer has a low-grade strain of the teres major muscle in his right shoulder that ends his season"

The right hander was seen grimacing in the sixth inning after throwing a pitch. He tried to throw some warm up pitches after the training staff came out to check on him. Scherzer wound up twice but was unable to release the ball before delivering it to the plate.

It's a huge blow for the Rangers, who have already placed their offseason acquisition of former Met Jacob deGrom on the injured list earlier this year.

The Rangers are in the middle of a division race, sitting one game back of the Houston Astros in the AL West. They also hold the second Wild Card spot in the American League, sitting a half game up on the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays, who are tied for the final spot.

It's unlikely that Scherzer pitches again this season regardless of a deep postseason run according to ESPN insider Jeff Passan.