The Blue Jays’ Hall-of-Fame addition lasted just three innings. After Max Scherzer was pulled early from his Saturday debut at Rogers Centre, the righty was placed on the 15-day Injured List on Sunday morning and will see a hand specialist.
Toronto knew the health challenges of signing a 40-year-old who’s started just 28 games over the last two seasons. Now, the Blue Jays must deal with them early.
“He’s frustrated,” Schneider said Sunday. “I know he said it last night, he wants to pitch, he knows he can pitch and not battle through this anymore. So hopefully this kind of resets him and knocks it out.”
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Scherzer was officially removed from Saturday’s start with lat soreness, but it all links back to a thumb issue that plagued him last year and in spring. He was placed on the IL with right thumb inflammation Sunday morning, with Easton Lucas recalled. Schneider said he “doesn’t think” surgery is a consideration for the veteran starter.
“I’m not assuming that&#8217;s going to be brought up tomorrow,” Schneider said. “But I don&#8217;t know, but that isn&#8217;t something that we&#8217;ve talked about as much.”
At his peak, Scherzer rattled off three straight NL strikeout crowns, won three Cy Youngs, and led his league in wins four times. Now, Scherzer is 40 years old and hasn’t made 30 starts in a season since 2021. He missed time due to injury three separate times last season, but pitched to a solid 3.95 ERA when active.
The Blue Jays knew the risk when they signed the vet to a $15.5-million contract in the winter and some missed starts, at some point, were basically inevitable. Dealing with an absence on the fourth day of the season is the real challenge, especially with the toll Toronto&#8217;s bullpen took in the first three games. The Jays called up Lucas (who is stretched out) and he or Yariel Rodriguez are the natural options to start in Scherzer’s place on Friday. Jake Bloss, a Triple-A prospect, is also a rotation option going forward, Schneider said.
A healthy Scherzer is the ideal, but the Blue Jays were always going to have to navigate his ailments at some point this year. The veteran’s hand specialist appointment on Monday will dictate how long that navigation will last.
“Get the thumb checked out and we’ll know more after that,” Schneider said.

The Blue Jays’ Hall-of-Fame addition lasted just three innings. After Max Scherzer was pulled early from his Saturday debut at Rogers Centre, the righty was placed on the 15-day Injured List on Sunday morning and will see a hand specialist.
Toronto knew the health challenges of signing a 40-year-old who’s started just 28 games over the last two seasons. Now, the Blue Jays must deal with them early.
“He’s frustrated,” Schneider said Sunday. “I know he said it last night, he wants to pitch, he knows he can pitch and not battle through this anymore. So hopefully this kind of resets him and knocks it out.”

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Scherzer was officially removed from Saturday’s start with lat soreness, but it all links back to a thumb issue that plagued him last year and in spring. He was placed on the IL with right thumb inflammation Sunday morning, with Easton Lucas recalled. Schneider said he “doesn’t think” surgery is a consideration for the veteran starter.
“I’m not assuming that's going to be brought up tomorrow,” Schneider said. “But I don't know, but that isn't something that we've talked about as much.”
At his peak, Scherzer rattled off three straight NL strikeout crowns, won three Cy Youngs, and led his league in wins four times. Now, Scherzer is 40 years old and hasn’t made 30 starts in a season since 2021. He missed time due to injury three separate times last season, but pitched to a solid 3.95 ERA when active.
The Blue Jays knew the risk when they signed the vet to a $15.5-million contract in the winter and some missed starts, at some point, were basically inevitable. Dealing with an absence on the fourth day of the season is the real challenge, especially with the toll Toronto's bullpen took in the first three games. The Jays called up Lucas (who is stretched out) and he or Yariel Rodriguez are the natural options to start in Scherzer’s place on Friday. Jake Bloss, a Triple-A prospect, is also a rotation option going forward, Schneider said.
A healthy Scherzer is the ideal, but the Blue Jays were always going to have to navigate his ailments at some point this year. The veteran’s hand specialist appointment on Monday will dictate how long that navigation will last.
“Get the thumb checked out and we’ll know more after that,” Schneider said.

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