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.

For the first time since before the COVID pandemic, MLB will dedicate three days in August to players, focusing on showcasing them beyond their stats and on-field performances.

From Aug. 16-18, players will be highlighted through in-stadium events, game broadcasts and social media.

Day 1 will feature their personalities, friendships and off-the-field interests. Day 2 will focus on their charitable causes, and Day 3 will celebrate the people who helped them on their path to the big leagues, including parents, coaches and other mentors.

During the weekend, players will wear special New Era caps featuring each players' uniform number on the side panel in a "youthful design," according to the release. Players also will be able to use customized bats during the games and can wear cleats with personalized designs as well.

MLB is calling the three days a "reimagined Players' Weekend" as its previous incarnation, from 2017 to '19, featured specially designed uniforms with player nicknames on the back of their jerseys.

The Chicago White Sox dropped to 3-22 with Thursday's 6-3 loss to the Minnesota Twins.

Every other Major League club entered Thursday with at least six wins.

The White Sox are only the fourth team in baseball history to lose 22 of their first 25 games. They join the 2022 Cincinnati Reds, 2003 Detroit Tigers and 1988 Baltimore Orioles.

To avoid a dreaded 100-loss season, Chicago will need to go 60-77 in their final 137 games.

Dusty Baker has won the Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Baseball Digest.

Baker retired following the 2023 season after spending 56 years in the Major Leagues as a player, coach and manager.

He was honored Thursday with the fourth annual distinction that "recognizes a living individual whose career has been spent in or around Major League Baseball and who has made significant contributions to the game."

"Receiving this award is a tremendous honor," Baker, 74, said in a news release. "I never thought that I'd be in the class of the people that received this award. I know that my late mom and dad would be proud of me. This is really special."

The Miami Marlins will move A.J. Puk back to the bullpen once he's healthy.

Puk began the season in the starting rotation before he landed on the injured list due to shoulder fatigue.

Through four starts, Puk allowed 14 runs over 13 2/3 innings. He had 12 strikeouts but issued 17 walks.

The Colorado Rockies have signed Tyler Danish to a Minor League deal.

The right-hander has been assigned to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Danish had just signed with the Mexican League's Olmecas de Tabasco last week. He started once, tossing six innings of one-run ball with four strikeouts and two walks.

Chicago Cubs reliever Luke Little had to change his glove before he entered Wednesday night's 4-3 victory over the Houston Astros because of an American flag patch.

As the left-hander went through the usual check by umpires for pitchers coming into the game, he was told he had to swap out his glove.

"The issue was the American flag was on his glove," Craig Counsell said. "Pitchers' gloves, they're pretty strict about not having white on the pitchers' gloves. Apparently the flag had what could be a distraction to the hitter."

Little's replacement glove wasn't broken in.

"I had to beat it a little bit, try and get it flexed out," Little said. "Of all the things to do is breaking in a glove during a game."

He struck out one batter in 2/3 innings pitched.

Max Scherzer is set to make a Minor League rehab start Wednesday, which will be the first game action for the 39-year-old since back surgery during the offseason.

Scherzer is scheduled to start for Triple-A Round Rock at home against Salt Lake, the Los Angeles Angels' affiliate.

The plan is to throw about 50 pitches. The right-hander threw 40 pitches in a simulated game Friday.

Scherzer had surgery Dec. 15 to repair a herniated disk in his lower back. 

Johnny Cueto has signed a Minor League deal with the Texas Rangers.

Cueto, 38, wants to pitch in his 17th Major League season.

The right-hander made 13 appearances (10 starts) for the Miami Marlins last season and 25 appearances (24 starts) for the Chicago White Sox in 2022. He finished the last of his six seasons with the San Francisco Giants in 2021.

Cueto is expected to report to the club's training complex in Surprise, Arizona.

Dave Roberts wants to see Shohei Ohtani show more plate discipline with runners in scoring position.

The Los Angeles Dodgers manager approached Ohtani about a week ago to discuss how he could better control the strike zone.

"I thought he was expanding a little bit more than he needed to," Roberts said. "So, I just wanted to have a conversation with him."

Roberts has noticed Ohtani getting comfortable in his surroundings, acclimating with his new teammates and coaches.

"He is doing a great job with everyone," Roberts said. "The hitting coaches are kind of building a really good relationship and trust. I see him more [now]. Before you sort of just see him when he gets in the batter's box. So, he's around a lot more, which is a good thing, too."