Blue Jays Announce Move After Max Scherzer News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Ayomide P. Adeduyite | Last updated May 31, 2025 4:23 PM ET

On Friday, the Toronto Blue Jays made it two consecutive wins against the Athletics, securing an 11-7 victory. Building on a 12-0 win the previous day, the Blue Jays capitalized on early scoring opportunities and maintained pressure throughout the game.

The Blue Jays’ bullpen also managed to contain the Athletics’ attempts at a comeback. After starter Chris Bassitt surrendered five runs, Toronto's bullpen held firm in middle relief, pitching three scoreless innings before Chad Green surrendered two runs in the ninth that were ultimately inconsequential.

Prior to this game, there was some news on veteran starting pitcher Max Scherzer that is especially relevant as Toronto attempts to navigate the rest of this series.

Scherzer, out since March 29 with a right thumb injury, is making progress toward a return but is not ready to pitch in games just yet.

"We'll see how tomorrow goes," Blue Jays manager John Schneider said of Scherzer's rehab. "That's kind of the whole thing with Max. He's been trending in the right direction for a while now and that leads to optimism he can keep going forward."

Max Scherzer is expected to face live hitters again Tuesday, Schneider said.

"We'll see how tomorrow goes. That's kind of the whole thing with Max. He's been trending in the right direction for a while now and that leads to optimism he can keep going forward." #BlueJays
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) May 30, 2025

Had Scherzer been further along in his rehab, there could have been a spot for him in the starting rotation this series. Because he is not yet ready to be activated, the Blue Jays have made the move to recall left-handed pitcher Easton Lucas.

While he did not start the game, Lucas projects to pitch at some point on Saturday (via Mitch Bannon of The Athletic ). Lucas, 28, has had a journeyman career across several MLB organizations, including the Athletics and Detroit Tigers, before joining the Blue Jays.

ROSTER MOVES:

We’ve recalled LHP Easton Lucas from Triple-A and he will be active for today’s game

RHP José Ureña has been designated for assignment pic.twitter.com/0JpdRhYvqZ
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) May 31, 2025

Lucas' career MLB statistics include a 3-2 win-loss record, an 8.66 ERA, and 36 strikeouts in 35.1 innings pitched. To accommodate Lucas on the roster, right-handed pitcher José Ureña was designated for assignment.

Ureña, 33, signed with the Blue Jays after a solid 2024 season with the Texas Rangers, where he posted a 3.80 ERA over 109 innings, demonstrating versatility as both a starter and reliever. However, his performance in the current season has not met expectations, leading to release.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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