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Max Scherzer conquers last year’s ghosts in ’26 season debut
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Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Thomas Hall
Mar 31, 2026, 23:30 EDTUpdated: Mar 31, 2026, 23:55 EDT
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TORONTO — Welcome to season No. 19, Max Scherzer.
Back for a second stint with the Toronto Blue Jays, Scherzer made his 2026 season debut at the Rogers Centre against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday, marking his official return — and first meaningful start since Game 7 of the World Series — after rejoining the organization late in the spring on a one-year, $3 million deal with innings-based incentives.
The 41-year-old starter was determined to return to this very spot. He vowed that last fall’s post-season wouldn’t be the last this sport ever saw of him, and return he has. To kick off his 19th season, the eight-time All-Star twirled a gem on the mound, earning a quality start across six innings of one-run ball, allowing just four hits and one walk while striking out four on 83 pitches (56 strikes).
Scherzer, the ageless, constantly dialled-in bulldog of a pitcher, was back in his office again, doing what he does best — pitch. But as easy as it is to marvel at his Father Time-defying success, it’s just as easy to forget that we almost didn’t make it here.
367 days ago, Scherzer’s right thumb problems forced an early exit after only three innings during his 2025 debut, which also came in Toronto, against the Baltimore Orioles on Mar. 29. That nagging roadblock nearly brought an end to his Blue Jays career just as it was beginning. There were many times across the ensuing months where it seemed this might be it for the Cooperstown-bound hurler.
But he kept at it, ultimately discovering an unconventional solution that allowed him to become Mad Max again. Because of that perseverance and determination, he’s still able to continue his legendary career and, in turn, prove that he remains a crucial part of Toronto’s rotation.
“It just goes to show you that I’ve figured out this thumb [injury],” Scherzer said post-game in appreciation of how far he’s come since last season’s injury-shortened debut. “Playing the piano is what’s solved this. My hand is in a great spot. My arm’s in a great spot. This is what I wanted to have happen last year.”
Scherzer rightfully got his do-over, and it couldn’t have arrived at a better time. Just a few hours after Cody Ponce officially landed on the 15-day injured list with a right knee sprain, which is expected to sideline him for the foreseeable future, if not the rest of the season, the veteran righty’s six innings of work not only “kept giving the team chances to score,” but also made for a much easier night for the bullpen.
It’s precisely the type of performance that the Blue Jays needed after Ponce only lasted three innings before injuring his right knee in Monday’s blowout loss, forcing backup catcher/emergency pitcher Tyler Heineman to cover two innings of mop-up duty.
Thanks to clean outings from Mason Fluharty and Braydon Fisher, both of whom bridged the later innings to closer Jeff Hoffman, that gave Tyler Rogers, Louis Varland and Brendon Little the night off after those first two had been used in three of the club’s first four games.
Considering Toronto’s staff is now down to four healthy starters, not including Lazaro Estrada, who was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo prior to first pitch, the bullpen needs to emerge as one of this roster’s biggest strengths. That is, until the team comes across more of a long-term fix.
“We’re getting tested right now,” Scherzer said of the current pitching injury woes. “For the rest of us, we’ve got to be very careful. Don’t take any chances. Don’t do anything risky right now. Go out there and do your job. But you can’t put yourself in harm’s way right now, given the amount of injuries that we have.”
As Scherzer’s situation proves, a lot can change in a year. This time last season, most discussions revolved around whether or not he’d pitch again. Now, he’s part of a rather formidable, albeit depleted, quartet alongside Kevin Gausman, Dylan Cease and Eric Lauer.
Unlike a year ago, the Blue Jays can now feel “at ease” whenever Scherzer takes the mound, as manager John Schneider explained post-game. They no longer have to worry about when his thumb might flare up again. That feeling has since been replaced by a sense of “confidence” when he’s out there doing his thing, attacking opposing batters like the good ol’ days.
Given the uncertainty surrounding Ponce’s vacated rotation spot, this team could certainly use more of vintage Max Scherzer moving forward, especially in his next start when he’ll be tasked with setting the tone — as he did Tuesday night — in the first of next week’s three-game World Series rematch against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

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