Scherzer Returns
Max Scherzer returns from IL to start for Blue Jays, aiming to stabilize struggling rotation
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Key Points
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Scherzer threw 56 pitches across five innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, signaling readiness to return to the Jays.
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In his 19-season career, Scherzer is 222-121 with a 3.27 ERA and has won two World Series titles—one with the Nationals in 2019 and another with the Rangers in 2023.
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There is inconsistency in age reporting: some outlets list him as turning 42 on Monday, while others list him as 41.
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Last season he was left off the Blue Jays' ALDS roster due to late-season struggles but was included on the club's ALCS and World Series rosters.
Max Scherzer is returning from the injured list to start Monday's series opener against the Washington Nationals — and he's doing it on his 42nd birthday. CTV News reported that the Toronto Blue Jays veteran right-hander will take the mound in Washington after missing time since mid-June with back spasms and thumb issues.
Scherzer has struggled this season, posting a 10.23 ERA over just six starts while receiving three cortisone injections in his thumb. But after throwing 56 pitches across five innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, the Blue Jays are confident he is ready, according to CP24.
A Rough Season Before This Birthday Return
Scherzer's 2024 campaign has been anything but smooth. Back spasms landed him on the injured list in mid-June, halting a season already marked by thumb troubles that required multiple injections. His 10.23 ERA over six starts is a far cry from the dominant pitcher Blue Jays fans were expecting when Toronto signed him.
Despite the struggles, the Blue Jays have stuck with the three-time Cy Young winner. The team plans to monitor his pitch count carefully during Monday's start. Getting him healthy and consistent is the priority as Toronto chases a postseason spot, according to Head Topics.
56 Pitches in Buffalo Signal Scherzer Is Ready
Scherzer's rehab outing with Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday was the green light the Blue Jays needed. He threw 56 pitches over five innings, showing enough command and durability to convince the organization he could handle a big-league start, CTV News reported.
The team will still keep a close eye on his workload Monday. A soft pitch count limit means Scherzer likely won't go deep into the game. But the goal is to ease him back and build toward a regular role in the rotation over the final stretch of the season.
Hall of Fame Resume Meets a Struggling Toronto Rotation
Scherzer brings serious credentials to a Blue Jays staff that has stumbled since the All-Star break. In 19 seasons, he is 222-121 with a 3.27 ERA. He won the World Series with the Nationals in 2019 and again with the Rangers in 2023, according to The Score.
Toronto is hoping that experience rubs off. The Blue Jays are chasing a playoff spot, and their rotation needs a steadying hand. Last season, Scherzer was left off the ALDS roster due to late-season struggles — but was included on the ALCS and World Series rosters. The team clearly still believes in him.
Washington Homecoming Adds Extra Storyline to Monday's Start
There is a poetic angle to Monday's matchup. Scherzer won his 2019 World Series title as a National, pitching in the very ballpark where he will now take the mound for Toronto. The return to Washington gives the start an added layer of meaning beyond just his birthday, CTV News noted.
For the Nationals, facing a familiar face in a down season will be a different kind of test. For Scherzer, it is a chance to show he still belongs at the top level of the game — at 42 years old, injuries and all.
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