The Toronto Blue Jays’ pitching workers has been in a state of emergency since Opening Day. It has been a cascade of harm setbacks for the reigning American League pennant winners attempting to defend its spot within the AL East. Entering their sequence in opposition to the Los Angeles Angels, the Blue Jays sit at 16-21, nonetheless looking for the consistency that carried them to the World Series a 12 months in the past.
One of the pitchers Toronto is hoping to depend on this season is Max Scherzer. The Blue Jays introduced Scherzer again on a one-year, $3 million take care of efficiency incentives regardless of an harm plagued first season in Toronto.
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But the 2026 common season has not cooperated. Scherzer has made 5 begins, going 1-3 with a 9.64 ERA and simply 10 strikeouts throughout 18 2/3 innings. He failed to finish three innings on three separate events, together with a disastrous outing in opposition to the Cleveland Guardians during which he allowed seven runs on six hits, together with three house runs, in simply 2 1/3 innings.
Toronto Blue Jays beginning pitcher Max Scherzer (31)© John E&interval; Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The Blue Jays positioned him on the 15-day injured listing with proper forearm tendinitis and left ankle irritation, retroactive to April 26. Shortly after, Scherzer revealed to reporters his forearm was not responding as hoped and that he could be consulting with docs on potential subsequent steps.
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On Friday, supervisor John Schneider offered the newest replace: Scherzer obtained a cortisone shot in his proper forearm and can observe a five-day no-throw interval earlier than making an attempt to renew mound work (h/t Arden Zwelling of SportsWeb).
The hope is that the injection supplies sufficient reduction to get him again on the sector with out additional intervention, although given his age and harm historical past, nothing is assured.
A 3-time Cy Young Award winner, eight-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion, Scherzer stays one of the adorned pitchers in baseball historical past. A wholesome, practical Scherzer, even one pitching to contact and managing innings, provides depth this workers merely doesn’t have proper now.
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Toronto opens their sequence in opposition to the Angels on Friday at Rogers Centre, with first pitch scheduled for 7:07 p.m. ET.
Related: Blue Jays’ John Schneider Shares Alejandro Kirk Injury Update
This story was initially revealed by Athlon Sports on May 8, 2026, the place it first appeared within the MLB part. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.