Scherzer Returns: Toronto Pitcher Active to Face Cleveland on Wednesday

Max Scherzer ready to return to action with the Blue Jays

Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer is scheduled to be activated from the 60-day injured list and pitch for the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday against Cleveland, according to manager John Schneider after the team’s 4-2 loss to the White Sox on Sunday. “He’s ready to play,” Schneider said of Scherzer, adding that the veteran right-hander will likely be able to throw up to 90 pitches. Scherzer was cleared to return after throwing between 30 and 40 pitches in a bullpen session on Sunday morning.

“Really, very excited to have him back. He’s a great, great addition for us. It’s Max Scherzer. I’ll take him any day of the week,” added Schneider.

John Schneider, Blue Jays manager

In Columbus last Wednesday, Scherzer allowed two runs, struck out four and did not issue any walks in 4⅓ innings in the second of two rehab starts for Triple-A Buffalo. The previous Friday, Scherzer struck out eight in 4⅓ scoreless innings for the Bisons in a home start against Worcester. Scherzer, 40, signed a one-year, $15.5 million contract with the Blue Jays in February. He left his debut in Toronto against Baltimore on March 29 after three innings due to discomfort in his right latissimus dorsi muscle. The next day, Toronto placed Scherzer on the injured list due to thumb inflammation. Scherzer has received two cortisone injections this season to alleviate the inflammation in his problematic thumb. He was transferred to the 60-day injured list last month, but was eligible to return on May 29. He went 2-4 with a 3.95 ERA in nine starts for Texas last season, beginning the year on the injured list while recovering from lower back surgery. Scherzer said earlier this season that his sore thumb, which also affected his 2022 and 2023 seasons, was also an issue in 2024. Scherzer won World Series titles with Washington in 2019 and Texas in 2023. He won his first Cy Young award after going 21-3 with a 2.90 ERA in 32 starts for Detroit in 2013. The eight-time All-Star won consecutive National League Cy Young awards with the Nationals in 2016 and 2017. Scherzer has a career record of 216-112 with an ERA of 3.16 in 467 games, including 458 starts. He has 3,408 strikeouts in 2,881 innings.