Next stop in Arlington? Texas Rangers pick up Ace Max Scherzer passes second

Max Scherzer did not emerge unscathed from Saturday’s second rehab outing for Triple-A Round Rock.

Scherzer, who pitched for the first time in a week, allowed three earned runs on four hits and two walks in 4 2/3 innings. He struck out eight, threw a wild pitch and allowed a home run,

The Texas Rangers right-hander pitched against fellow Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel, who started for the Tacoma Rainiers, an affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.

Scherzer, 39, reached the number of pitches the Rangers had scored by about 75 pitches, throwing 79 before getting out. He wasn’t as sharp as he was a week ago when he pitched four scoreless innings.

Manager Bruce Bochy told reporters in Seattle that Texas hoped Scherzer would be ready to make his next start with the Rangers, which would come in their next home game. If ready, Scherzer would be available to face the Kansas City Royals in a weekend series at Globe Life Field.

He threw nearly 50 pitches against Oklahoma City last weekend in his first rehab start since a nerve issue hampered his recovery from back surgery in December. Scherzer had to halt his progress while the nerve problem went away.

Scherzer went a combined 13-6 with the Mets and New York Rangers last year, finishing with a 3.77 ERA. He was 4-2 with a 3.20 ERA after joining the Rangers in a deadline trade in July. Scherzer helped the club win its first World Series title.