The highly anticipated return of Max Scherzer isn’t too far away.

The future Hall-of-Fame, 41-year-old Scherzer is expected to arrive at the Toronto Blue Jays’ player development complex in Dunedin, Fla., at some point this weekend, manager John Schneider told reporters Thursday, including Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith.

But Scherzer will first need to pass his physical with the club before his reported one-year, $3 million contract — which can reach a total of $10 million via innings-based incentives, per multiple reports — can be made official.

Despite remaining unsigned through the early days of spring training, Scherzer has already gotten a head start on his throwing progression this spring, as Schneider revealed, with the veteran right-hander having already completed multiple bullpen and live batting practice sessions — and he’ll continue to face hitters upon arriving in camp.

That means Scherzer won’t be starting from scratch with his starter’s build-up, although the Blue Jays don’t intend for him to be available come Opening Day on March 27. They plan to ramp him up slowly, expressing immense caution with the three-time Cy Young Award winner in advance of his 19th major-league season.

There isn’t a set plan yet for when the eight-time All-Star could make his Grapefruit League debut, but the organization will begin formulating that strategy once he’s officially in camp. In all likelihood, though, his first start of the spring is still probably a week or so away.

By bringing Scherzer — who pitched to a 5.19 ERA and 4.99 FIP with a 16.5 per cent strikeout-minus-walk rate in 17 starts last season, while also providing a trio of vintage post-season performances — along slowly, it’ll afford the Blue Jays extra time to deal with their crowded rotation. It remains unclear how they’ll make all the pieces fit. But since he likely won’t be ready until late April or early May, it’s possible this problem could end up solving itself by then.

In the meantime, as Scherzer prepares what could ultimately be his swan song, Toronto will likely head into this season with a starting five of Kevin Gausman, Dylan Cease, Trey Yesavage, Cody Ponce and José Berríos — along with Eric Lauer, who’s currently the No. 6 starter until Shane Bieber returns, but could open the year in a multi-inning reliever role.