Max Scherzer to skip next start with groin injury

Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer is skipping his next start as he continues to deal with a groin injury. Scherzer was scheduled to pitch Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Instead he will continue to rehab in hopes of pitching sooner rather later.

Scherzer threw a bullpen session Monday afternoon. He says he made “real progress” but it wouldn’t be smart to pitch Wednesday, according to Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports. Whether he goes on the injured list is up to manager Dave Martinez and the club. Yet, he believes he’ll be ready in a matter of “days not weeks.”

Max Scherzer tweaked his groin a mere 12 pitches into his last start on Friday against the San Francisco Giants. Scherzer tried stretching and threw one warm-up pitch. However, ultimately he walked off the mound with Martinez and the head trainer, exiting the game in the first inning.

After the Nationals’ 3-2 win over the Pirates Monday, Martinez said the club will wait until tomorrow before deciding how to handle Scherzer, per Zuckerman. If there is a chance he could pitch over the weekend, the team may keep him on the active roster.

With Scherzer missing at least his next start, the Nationals will once again have to reshuffle it’s rotation. They’re already missing Stephen Strasburg, who is on the 10-day injured list with a neck ailment.

Scherzer has a 2.21 ERA with a 5-4 record in 13 starts this season. He has struck out 104 batters against 15 walks and a 0.815 WHIP in 77 1/3 innings this season.