Rangers' Max Scherzer: Return pushed back

Scherzer (back/thumb) won't start Saturday's game against the Royals, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Scherzer was initially expected to make his 2024 debut Saturday after undergoing offseason back surgery and more recently dealing with thumb and forearm injuries. Instead, Bruce Bochy will hand the ball to Jon Gray on Saturday, with starters for Sunday's series finale against Kansas City and Monday's series opener against Milwaukee still to be determined. Scherzer and Dane Dunning figure to fill the two starting slots, though it's unclear in what order.