Blue Jays Predicted to Make Trade After Max Scherzer News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | Last updated Jun 21, 2025 9:17 PM ET

The Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Chicago White Sox on Saturday behind a masterful start from Jose Berrios. Pitching 7.2 shutout innings, the veteran right-hander gave Toronto some much-needed length after Spencer Turnbull went just two innings on Friday.

Currently 22nd in MLB with a 4.22 team ERA, Toronto's pitching staff has been searching for answers much of the 2025 season. Signing three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer to a one-year, $15.5 million contract in the offseason, the Blue Jays received just one start from him before right thumb inflammation required an injured list stint that is still ongoing.

In a report Thursday, SportNet’s Ben Nicholson‑Smith revealed via Blue Jays manager John Schneider that Scherzer was experiencing thumb soreness after throwing 75 pitches in a rehab start. While Schneider claimed this was to be expected, the Blue Jays made the decision on Saturday to push Scherzer's next bullpen back a day.

Amid this news, the Blue Jays were named in an article from Jim Bowden of The Athletic . Going over potential trades for AL Wild Card contenders, the former MLB executive floated a deal between Toronto and the Arizona Diamondbacks that sends starting pitcher Merrill Kelly to the Blue Jays.

One difference-making trade for each AL team in the wild-card race https://t.co/5MGq9IRcAj
— Jim Bowden⚾️ (@JimBowdenGM) June 20, 2025

"The Blue Jays are focused on acquiring a starting pitcher before the trade deadline and the veteran righty would be a good fit for them," Bowden wrote. "Kelly, 36, is 6-3 with a 3.41 ERA over 15 starts and will be eligible for free agency at season’s end."

While Scherzer is expected back at some point, the latest news on his rehab is another reason why adding an arm could make sense for the Blue Jays. According to Bowden, the Diamondbacks could be a sensible trade partner.

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

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