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In the team's 5-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Monday night, Texas Rangers left-hander Andrew Heaney threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings in relief, not allowing a single hit and also not walking or striking out a batter. Heaney has shifted to more of a long-relief role for the Rangers in the final month of the regular season, but he may be needed back in the starting rotation before long, depending on the severity of right-hander Jon Gray's wrist injury that he suffered on Monday. The 32-year-old southpaw has made 32 appearances (27 starts) for Texas in 2023, going 10-6 with a 4.31 ERA (4.73 FIP), 1.38 WHIP, 58 walks and 147 strikeouts in 142 innings pitched in his first year with the team.
Texas Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer (shoulder) ramped up the intensity of his flat-ground throwing session on Monday. "It's another step forward," Scherzer said. "I'm continuing to strengthen my arm. [Throwing off] the mound is close." When the Rangers placed Scherzer on the injured list two weeks ago with a right teres-major strain, he was expected to miss anywhere from eight to 12 weeks. There's no guarantee that the 39-year-old will be able to make it back into the Rangers' starting rotation if they make a deep playoff run, but Scherzer is going to try his best to be ready. After being acquired from the New York Mets at the deadline, Scherzer was better for Texas, going 4-2 with a 3.20 ERA (3.41 FIP), 0.96 WHIP and 53 strikeouts in 45 innings over eight starts.
Texas Rangers rookie left-hander Cody Bradford is set to serve as the team's opener on Tuesday on the road against the Los Angeles Angels. Bradford will be making his 19th appearance of his first MLB season on Tuesday, but just his eighth start. He was an opener his last time out, too, going three innings and allowing six earned runs on seven hits while walking none and striking out two against the Cleveland Guardians on Sept. 17. The 25-year-old southpaw has a great matchup against the out-of-contention Angels, but he's probably only going to go a handful of innings before a bulk reliever takes over for him, so he's not a recommended fantasy streamer for those playing for a championship in the final week of the season. Bradford has gone 4-2 with a 4.65 ERA (4.53 FIP), 1.19 WHIP and 46 strikeouts in 50 1/3 innings in his rookie campaign.
Texas Rangers catcher/designated hitter Mitch Garver had another nice day at the plate in Monday's 5-1 win over the Angels. Serving as DH, Garver went 3-for-3 with two singles, a solo home run, and a walk. The 32-year-old has been great offensively when healthy, slashing .281/.381/.525 with 19 HR and 50 RBI in 324 plate appearances. Hopefully, he can keep things going for the final week of the season as the Rangers push for the playoffs.
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jon Gray (wrist) pitched well but exited his start against the Angels in the seventh inning on Monday with right-wrist tightness, per Dallas Morning News' Evan Grant. Gray completed six innings, allowing one run on five hits (including a solo home run) and no walks with seven strikeouts but exited after throwing his warm-up pitches in the seventh. The 31-year-old came up big for the Rangers and now has a 4.12 ERA over 29 starts. He was slated to make another key start later in the week at the Mariners, but fantasy managers should keep an eye out for further news on his condition.
