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Report: Max Scherzer slated to make Wednesday start for the Blue Jays

Originally posted on Bluejaysnation
By Tyson Shushkewich | Last updated Jun 23, 2025 8:00 AM ET

The Toronto Blue Jays will acquire a key rotation member from Cleveland this week. Manager John Schneider confirmed to the media yesterday that right-hander Max Scherzer will start for Toronto on Wednesday, the second game of their three-game set against the Guardians. Both teams are off today before beginning the series tomorrow.

“That’s a huge addition for us,” said Schneider, speaking to the media. “It’s Max Scherzer. I’ll take that any day of the week.”

Scherzer made just one start for the Jays before landing on the IL, pitching three innings against the Baltimore Orioles before being lifted with a thumb issue. The veteran arm was struggling with the injury in spring training and was not able to go deep into his first start with the Jays.

Max Scherzer slated to make Wednesday start for the Blue Jays

Since late March, Scherzer has tried various treatments to get back into game shape, including getting various cortisone shots in his thumb. The Missouri product eventually made his way back into minor league action on June 13th, appearing for the Buffalo Bisons. He made two starts down in triple-A, allowing just five hits and two earned runs across 8 2/3 collective innings while striking out 12 batters compared to two walks. In his last outing against the Worcester Red Sox, he threw 75 pitches before being lifted.

Max Scherzer will make his return from the IL in Cleveland on Wednesday, John Schneider told reporters on Sunday.

Scherzer struck out 8 over 4.1 innings in his second and final Triple-A rehab start last week.

This will be his first start with the Blue Jays since March 29th. pic.twitter.com/GzfSL7wsT0

— Blue Jays Nation (@thejaysnation) June 22, 2025

Scherzer returned to Toronto to throw his side session in front of the Toronto staff Sunday morning, and all eyes were on how he would rebound following his previous start and the session at the Rogers Centre. It appears the medical staff and the future Hall of Famer were comfortable with the outcome, with Schneider giving the go-ahead for Scherzer to make the start this Wednesday.

The veteran’s return to the rotation could not come at a better time, as the club has struggled to fill the gap in his absence and with Bowden Francis now on the IL, things looked a little bleak on the rotation front outside of the core three of Jose Berrios, Chris Bassitt, and Kevin Gausman.

It looks like Eric Lauer will now occupy the fifth rotation spot with Scherzer’s return, and some stability to the starting corps appears on the horizon as long as Scherzer’s thumb can hold out.

This article first appeared on Bluejaysnation and was syndicated with permission.

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