The reigning World Series champion Texas Rangers began Monday lagging 8 1/2 games out of the lead in the American League West, but they have three notable players on rehab assignments, and hopeful news about a fourth.

Max Scherzer, the three-time Cy Young Award winner whom Texas acquired during last season, has made three starts totaling 11 innings for Triple-A Round Rock, and Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Monday that the right-hander’s next start could come in the majors.

Scherzer is returning from a herniated disk in his lower back.

“Yeah, he came out of that well. It’s good to have him back. I know he’s excited,” Bochy said.

Scherzer went 4-2 with a 3.20 ERA after the Rangers traded for him last season.

Third baseman Josh Jung, another big contributor to last season’s success, has begun a rehab stint at Round Rock. Jung hit .308 in the postseason, with three home runs and eight RBIs in 17 games.

Jung has not played for the Rangers since April 1 after going down with a wrist fracture. He went 2-for-3 on Sunday.

Reliever Josh Sborz has made two minor league appearances in his return from should tightness. He last played on May 8. Sborz appeared in 10 games in the 2023 postseason, recording an ERA of 0.75 in 12 innings.

The Rangers were also encouraged by the progress of Jacob deGrom, who tossed 15 pitches in the bullpen on Monday, according to MLB.com.

A two-time Cy Young winner, deGrom appeared in just six games for the Rangers in the 2023 regular season and was shut down due to reconstructive right elbow surgery. He also missed the postseason.

“I’m not sure of the timeline, but feeling really good,” deGrom said after the session. “Touched the mound for the first time today, so that went really well. So one day at a time. I got two more times this week. And then just keep moving forward from there.”

Texas has lost eight of its last 12 games going into Monday night.

–Field Level Media