Trade rumors began to heat up around Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer on Saturday. They only intensified when he was abruptly scratched from his scheduled start less than three hours before first pitch.
The Nationals were quick to clarify that Scherzer was not scratched because of any impending trade. Instead, the Nationals’ ace had right triceps soreness, which flared up in the batting cage on Tuesday and didn’t subside enough for him to make his start. Scherzer told reporters that he was confident he would miss only one turn through the rotation.
The late scratch came on the same day that it was reported that the Nationals were willing to listen to offers for Scherzer. As awkward as it is, it appears that this was all coincidental. That said, with the trade deadline six days away, one has to wonder if Scherzer has already made his final appearance in a Washington uniform.
Scherzer, who turns 37 on Tuesday, has posted a 2.83 ERA with 142 strikeouts in 105 innings so far this season.
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