Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer makes his first start since undergoing back surgery on Wednesday night with Texas' Triple-A affiliate, opening what is expected to be a significant rehab period before he's activated by the MLB club.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Scherzer would be on a strict pitch count of around 50. He threw 40 pitches in a simulated game on Friday.

Scherzer was expected to be out until June or July following surgery on Dec. 15 to repair a herniated disc in his back. Scherzer turns 40 in July and was 4-2 with a 3.20 ERA in eight regular-season starts for Texas after being acquired from the New York Mets at the trade deadline.

He did not pitch in the wild-card or division series because of a shoulder strain and was 0-1 with a 9.45 ERA in two starts in the American League Championship Series. He started Game 3 of the World Series and pitched three scoreless innings in a 3-1 win against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Scherzer said at the start of the offseason he had nerve pain in his legs and experienced discomfort beyond inflammation.

He tried less aggressive treatments but said he felt surgery provided him "the best chance to pitch as much as possible for the Rangers in 2024."

A midsummer comeback for Scherzer could set Texas up for a second-half pitching overhaul, with right-hander Jacob deGrom and newly signed right-hander Tyler Mahle both targeting August returns after recovering from Tommy John surgery.

A three-time Cy Young Award winner and an eight-time All-Star, Scherzer is 214-108 with a 3.15 ERA and 3,367 strikeouts in 457 games (448 starts) for the Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dodgers, Mets and Rangers.