Max Scherzer throws 5 scoreless innings in his season debut for the Rangers

Arlington, Texas: Max Scherzer pitched five scoreless innings in his season debut for the Texas Rangers on Sunday. The three time Cy Young Award wi...

Arlington, Texas: Max Scherzer pitched five scoreless innings in his season debut for the Texas Rangers on Sunday.

The three-time Cy Young Award winner struck out four and allowed only one hit against Kansas City. The right-hander threw 39 of his 57 pitches for strikes and didn't have any walks.

Scherzer hadn't started a game for the Rangers since Game 3 of the World Series on Oct. 30, when he exited after three scoreless innings because of back tightness.

He had surgery in mid-December to repair a herniated disk in his lower back, then during his rehab dealt with a nerve issue that was diagnosed after he experienced right thumb soreness.

His fourth and final strikeout Sunday was the 3,371st in his career to match Hall of Fame pitcher Mike Maddux for 11th on MLB's career list. Maddux, a four-time Cy Young winner, is the brother of Texas pitching coach Mike Maddux.