Vladimir Guerrero Jr. & Max Scherzer (Photo by Imagn Images)

Why Did Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Step Back For Max Scherzer Against the Rockies?

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports
By Paranjoy Goswami | Last updated Apr 1, 2026 10:23 AM ET

Almost a year ago, the Toronto Blue Jays completed a 14-year, $500 million contract extension with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. The 27-year-old first baseman is now the undisputed leader of their clubhouse. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays also re-signed Max Scherzer earlier this year. The three-time Cy Young winner played a key role in their postseason run to the World Series.

On Tuesday, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Max Scherzer were involved in a comical complication when the Toronto Blue Jays got ready for Game 2 of their series against the Colorado Rockies. Guerrero Jr. was the starting baseman for the Blue Jays as usual, with Scherzer making his first start of the new season against the Rockies at Rogers Center.

In every game, Guerrero Jr. leads his team into battle by being the first player from his team to run out onto the field. However, Max Scherzer also has the same ritual whenever he heads out to the mound for his outing. Therefore, the five-time All-Star slugger decided to let the veteran pitcher enter the game before everyone else as a mark of respect.

Max Scherzer always takes the field first on start days, and Vladdy Jr. respects that rule pic.twitter.com/e5IqpcRGmx
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 31, 2026

Nevertheless, it was quite hilarious to see Guerrero Jr. barely controlling himself from getting onto the field first. He nearly did, but managed to check his step in time to let Scherzer cross the white line first.

Max Scherzer On Season Debut for Blue Jays Against Rockies

The Toronto Blue Jays picked up a 5-1 victory against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday evening. Max Scherzer enjoyed an excellent season debut. The 41-year-old pitched six innings, giving up just one run on four base hits with four strikeouts and a walk.

Locked in

Max Scherzer was ready to go 37 minutes before first pitch pic.twitter.com/G7Xj1kQEKf
— MLB (@MLB) March 31, 2026

“Kept giving the team the chance to score runs When they got the opportunity to score, they came up huge, and late in the game they broke it open,” Scherzer told reporters after picking up the win. “For me, I just went out there and did my job.”

Max Scherzer pitched just three innings on his debut for the Blue Jays last year. He then spent two months on the IL with right thumb inflammation before returning to the team in June. The eight-time All-Star made just five appearances during the regular season last year. Still, he had three starts for the Blue Jays in the playoffs.

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

More must-reads: