Rangers place Scherzer on IL with shoulder fatigue

The Texas Rangers placed right-hander Max Scherzer on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder fatigue Friday, the team announced.

Manager Bruce Bochy said that he's anticipating Scherzer will be able to return after the minimum requirement of 15 days on the IL, according to Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News.

Scherzer last pitched Tuesday against the St. Louis Cardinals where he allowed three earned runs over four innings, including a home run.

The outing was Scherzer's eighth of the season after he returned from offseason back surgery, as well as a nerve issue in his thumb. The three-time Cy Young winner was also forced to leave a July 20 start against the Baltimore Orioles because of arm fatigue.

Scherzer owns a 3.89 ERA and 8.7 K/9 in 39 1/3 innings this season for the defending World Series champions, who are performing below expectations.

Entering Friday, the Rangers were 4 1/2 games back of top position in the AL West and eight games back of the final wild-card spot.

Texas recalled left-hander Walter Pennington from Triple-A to take Scherzer's spot on the active roster. Pennington was acquired from the Kansas City Royals for Michael Lorenzen on Monday.