ARLINGTON – Max Scherzer faced hitters for the first time a week ago. He could face the Oakland Athletics in two weeks.

Scherzer will begin the final leg of his recovery journey from back surgery on Wednesday when he begins his rehab at Triple-A Round Rock. It’s not inconceivable the next time the Rangers definitely need a starter: For the second game of a scheduled doubleheader in Oakland on May 8, Scherzer could be an option.

But first things first: Scherzer is expected to throw about 50 pitches for Round Rock against Salt Lake of the Los Angeles Angels organization. If that goes well, he’ll probably progress to around 70 pitches early next week. Then comes a decision: Scherzer’s third rehab start, which would likely be between 80 and 90 pitches, would come during the second week of May. Coincidentally, the Rangers will need a sixth starter that week when they play a doubleheader in Oakland before a three-game series in Colorado.

If Scherzer isn’t quite ready, he could begin another start in rehab when the Rangers are in Oakland and be an option to pitch against Cleveland when the Rangers return to Arlington on May 13.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said he wasn’t concerned about Scherzer rushing through rehab.

“He’s really good at self-assessing where he is,” Bochy said. “I think it’s honest. I think he understands his body more than anyone. I don’t think he’s going to put himself at risk. Because he just went through rehab. “There is a trust factor there.”

“I can have whatever plans I want,” Scherzer said. “But it does not matter. What I have to do is show that I am healthy and that I can make pitches.”

Twitter: @Evan_P_Grant

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