Future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer (thumb) has pitched just one game for the Toronto Blue Jays this season, and they still own the AL's second Wild Card spot through 75 games. There's no telling how far they'll rise once the three-time Cy Young Award winner is back at full strength.
Scherzer's lone appearance this year came back on March 29 when he allowed two runs in three innings to the Baltimore Orioles. The 40-year-old threw just 45 pitches before leaving with soreness in his right lat muscle that stemmed from his thumb soreness.
However, Scherzer is finally close to returning from the 60-day IL. Toronto manager John Schneider made a decision about the hurler's rehab before Saturday's bout with the Chicago White Sox, via MLB.com's Keegan Matheson.
"Max Scherzer is throwing his bullpen session tomorrow now, not today," Matheson reported.
"Schneider says the Blue Jays are 'feeling through it a bit' and just wanted to give him an extra day, which they have the option to do given how the rotation is set up next week," he continued.
Max Scherzer is throwing his bullpen session tomorrow now, not today.
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) June 21, 2025
Schneider says the #BlueJays are “feeling through it a bit” and just wanted to give him an extra day, which they have the option to do given how the rotation is set up next week.
Scherzer will likely pitch either Tuesday or Thursday against the Cleveland Guardians, via Matheson. The right-hander isn't ready for 100-pitch outings yet, but he can handle 75.
Scherzer signed a one-year, $15.5 million contract with the Blue Jays in February, and their rotation has been shorthanded since he went down in March.
Toronto is 1.5 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays for second place in the AL East and three games behind the New York Yankees for first.
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