Max Scherzer Nears Return with the Blue Jays
Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer continues his road back to the Major Leagues following his recent rehab outing in Triple-A. In his first rehabilitation appearance in Triple-A, Scherzer reached 94 mph and threw 56 pitches. The right-handed pitcher, who suffered inflammation in his right thumb, signed a one-year, $15.5 million contract with the Blue Jays in February. Scherzer, 40, had to leave his debut with the team against Baltimore on March 29 after three innings due to discomfort in his right latissimus dorsi muscle. The next day, Toronto placed him on the injured list for inflammation in his thumb. In his recent outing with the Triple-A Buffalo team against the Columbus Clippers, Scherzer allowed two runs, struck out four batters, and did not concede any walks in 4⅓ innings. He received an ovation from the crowd as he left the field.Scherzer allowed a 425-foot home run to Columbus left fielder C.J. Kayfus, one of the top 100 minor league prospects. Blue Jays manager John Schneider said the outcome of the game wasn’t the most important thing, but rather that Scherzer came out healthy. Scherzer has received two cortisone shots this season to relieve inflammation in his thumb and was transferred to the 60-day injured list last month, but is eligible to return from May 29. Scherzer, winner of World Series titles with Washington in 2019 and Texas in 2023, won his first Cy Young award in 2013 with Detroit, after a season of 21-3 with an ERA of 2.90. The eight-time All-Star also obtained consecutive Cy Young awards in the National League with Washington in 2016 and 2017. Schneider indicated that Scherzer will likely need more rehab outings before joining the Blue Jays’ rotation, who are currently in second place in the American League East. “The plan right now is for him to join us here and probably throw a bullpen session and then return for another,” Schneider added.It will be the most watched Triple-A game in a long time.
John Schneider, manager of the Blue Jays
