Max Scherzer took a step towards a return to the mound for the Texas Rangers, throwing 52 pitches for Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday night.
As he returns from back surgery, Scherzer allowed three runs on five hits, including two homers.
After the rehab start, the 39-year-old commented on the state of umpiring, and suggested a relegation system for umpires.
\"We need to rank the umpires,\" Scherzer said. \"Let the electronic strike zone rank the umpires. We need to have a conversation about the bottom — let\'s call it 10% — whatever you want to declare the bottom is, and talk about relegating those umpires to the minor leagues.\"
Scherzer maintained that a large majority of umpires \"are really good\" but said that there should be a system in place to help improve those on the bottom.