Blue Jays’ Scherzer to start Monday vs. Nationals
Toronto Blue Jays veteran right-hander Max Scherzer is set to return to the mound on Monday, making his first major league start since mid-June. The start will coincide with his 42nd birthday and will be against his former team, the Washington Nationals, in Washington, D.C.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider confirmed Scherzer’s return following the team’s 6-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Sunday. Schneider indicated that discussions with Scherzer about his physical condition and recovery from his rehabilitation outing in Triple-A Buffalo led to the decision. While Scherzer might have a limited pitch count, Schneider noted that the pitcher has met all necessary criteria for his return.
Scherzer’s Road to Recovery
Scherzer has been sidelined since a June 10 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, when he was placed on the injured list due to back spasms. His recovery process has included multiple setbacks, notably three cortisone injections in his right thumb, an issue that has affected him in previous seasons. His rehabilitation assignment was paused in mid-July following these injections.
The right-hander’s rehab assignment commenced on July 3 and involved appearances with the Single-A Vancouver Canadians and the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. In his most recent rehab start in Buffalo, Scherzer demonstrated strong form, pitching five innings without allowing any runs or hits, and recording seven strikeouts against Rochester Red Wings batters. He threw 56 pitches during this outing.
Despite his recent injury struggles, Scherzer expressed confidence in his current physical state. He told Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith in Boston that he feels he is in a “good spot throwing the ball” and that the ball is “coming out of my hand the way it needs to.” Scherzer added, “I can feel it coming out of my hand and that feels right. I know I can pitch. I know I can still go out there and compete.”
Season Performance and Career Milestones
This season, Scherzer has made only six starts for the Blue Jays, accumulating a record of 1-4 with a 10.23 ERA and a 1.73 WHIP. Across 22 innings, he has recorded 14 strikeouts. The Blue Jays have experienced a challenging period, dropping seven of 10 games since the All-Star break.
Scherzer’s career spans 19 seasons and seven different teams, during which he has compiled a record of 222-121 with a 3.27 ERA over 489 games. He is also a three-time Cy Young Award winner. He possesses two World Series rings, one earned with the Nationals in 2019, where he will be pitching on Monday, and another with Texas in 2023.
Last season, after being excluded from the ALDS roster due to late-season performance issues, Scherzer was included on both the ALCS and World Series rosters for the Blue Jays. The team ultimately lost the World Series in seven games to the Los Angeles Dodgers. When he takes the mound on Monday, Scherzer will be just 15 innings shy of reaching the 3,000-inning milestone in his MLB career.
Scherzer is expected to face off against left-handed pitcher Andrew Alvarez during Monday’s game.
Source: toronto.citynews.ca
