Texas Rangers' Ace Max Scherzer Giving Back Surgery 'Perfect Amount Of Time' To Heal
SURPRISE, Ariz. — Max Scherzer is in a waiting game. But he's still working.
The Texas Rangers right-hander is recovering from back surgery in December and is not allowed to throw until at least March 7.
That will be the three-month mark since his Dec. 15 surgery to repair a herniated disc.
"I don't know when I'll be cleared [to throw], but the three-month mark is a big milestone," Scherzer said on Friday.
The future Hall of Famer and three-time Cy Young winner turns 40 in July.
Scherzer, who was acquired from the New York Mets in a deadline move in July, said his back feels great but he's faithfully adhering to doctors orders not to get ahead of himself.
"There's still healing that takes place from week to week," he said. "This isn't me trying to second guess what the protocols are here, it's just good news. I feel great, I feel normal. I just have to let this thing heal; give it the perfect amount of time."
In the meantime, Scherzer is working his core and keeping his arm active without throwing. It's his first time doing spring training in the Phoenix area. He had spring training in Tucson when he was with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2008-09, but never in Phoenix.
"We're waiting to get some clearance to go. I'm not worried about it. The arm will get there," he said.
While he awaits the all-clear to let it rip, Scherzer is always looking for more ways to prepare, as long as the doctors approve.
"I respect what I'm going through and following doctor's orders," he said. "I'm just trying to understand what are the things I can do, what's the next little step I can get cleared [to do] and try to build off of that? I'm just stuck in that process."
Does he have a date in June circled?
"It just depends on once I get the clearance. It's too early to even think where the end is," he said. "I have so many more milestone checkmarks that I've got to hit.
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