Blue Jays' Max Scherzer nearing return after latest sparkling rehab start
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer is nearing a return to the mound. The injury journey for Scherzer began on March 29, when he exited his Blue Jays debut after just three innings against the Baltimore Orioles due to right thumb discomfort. On Wednesday, the veteran right-hander took a major step forward, delivering a dominant rehab outing for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.
Scherzer struck out eight batters over 4⅓ scoreless innings, surrendering just one hit and two walks while throwing 75 pitches. His fastball averaged 92.5 mph and touched 94.2 mph. This performance marked his second minor league rehab start. First, he tossed 4⅓ innings on June 8, allowing two runs and striking out four. However, Wednesday's game showed improved command and velocity.
Advertisement
Following his early exit, Scherzer was placed on the 15-day injury list with right thumb inflammation. As the discomfort persisted, he received a second cortisone injection on April 19. Eventually, the Blue Jays transferred him to the 60-day injury list on May 5, retroactive to March 30, to allow more time for recovery.
Now, Scherzer appears to be turning the corner. Blue Jays manager John Schneider called Wednesday's Triple-A game the 'second-most watched' of the year, underscoring its importance. Even so, Schneider stressed that the most important factor is how Scherzer feels the following day. So far, the outlook is encouraging. Blue Jays Scherzer not only reached his pitch count target but also dominated a strong opposing lineup. He's currently slated for one final rehab start next Tuesday in Cleveland. If all goes well, he could rejoin the major league rotation on regular rest shortly after.
Naturally, caution remains. Scherzer has repeatedly stated he won't celebrate until he's back on a big-league mound and feels fully recovered afterward. His thumb is still a concern, and the Blue Jays will continue to monitor it closely.
Still, optimism keeps growing. Max Scherzer nears the end of a long recovery, and a healthy return would give the Blue Jays' rotation a major lift after weeks of carrying the load. With Scherzer on the verge of coming back, the Blue Jays aim to surge in the second half. If he stays healthy, their pitching staff could rank among the league's most dangerous.
Related: Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. blasts second-level homer vs. Diamondbacks

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
9 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Tomoyuki Sugano throws 6 sharp innings, Tyler O'Neill homers again to help Orioles beat Rockies 5-1
BALTIMORE (AP) — Tomoyuki Sugano pitched six innings of four-hit ball, Tyler O'Neill homered in a third straight game and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Colorado Rockies 5-1 on Sunday. Dylan Carlson drove in two runs for the Orioles, who followed Saturday night's 18-0 blowout with a more conventional victory in the deciding matchup of a three-game series between last-place clubs. Sugano (8-5) gave up one run, walked two and matched his career high with eight strikeouts. The 35-year-old righty, who signed a one-year contract with Baltimore in December, could be headed to a contender before Friday's trade deadline. Although he was impressive on Sunday, Sugano has yielded 21 homers in 20 games and had a 7.88 ERA over his previous seven starts. After languishing on the injured list from mid-May to early July, O'Neill appears to have found his stroke. Three of his six homers this season came in this series, including a two-run drive in the third inning Sunday off Austin Gomber (0-5) that made it 4-1. Colorado's lone tally came on a solo shot by Warming Bernabel, his first homer in the majors after making his big league debut on Saturday. The Rockies own a 27-78 record, same as the 2024 Chicago White Sox after 105 games. Those White Sox didn't win No. 28 until ending a 21-game skid on Aug. 6, and finished with a single-season record 121 defeats. Key moment Baltimore added a run in the eighth when Gunnar Henderson hustled from second base to home on a wild pitch that catcher Austin Nola was slow to retrieve. Key stat Half of O'Neill's 26 hits this season have gone for extra bases: six homers, six doubles and a triple. In addition, six of his 17 RBIs this season have come in the last three games. Up next Rockies: Bradley Blalock (1-2, 8.67 ERA) starts Monday in the opener of a three-game series at Cleveland. Orioles: Zach Eflin (6-5, 5.78) takes on the AL East-leading Toronto Blue Jays at Camden Yards on Monday night. ___ AP MLB:

Yahoo
9 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner shows off all-around game against the White Sox
CHICAGO (AP) — Nico Hoerner delivered for the Chicago Cubs on Sunday — at the plate and in the field. Hoerner hit an RBI single and scored from first on Matt Shaw's double in the sixth inning of the Cubs' series finale against the Chicago White Sox. He also reached on an infield single in the second on the 14th pitch of his at-bat against Sean Burke. But Hoerner's best moment of the afternoon was a heady defensive play in the third at Rate Field. The White Sox had runners on first and second with one out when Chase Meidroth popped up to Hoerner at second base. Meidroth was called out via the infield fly rule, and Hoerner let the ball drop to see if any of the baserunners would try to advance. When Lenyn Sosa broke for third, Hoerner — a Gold Glove winner in 2023 — threw him out for the inning-ending double play. ___ AP MLB:
Yahoo
9 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Gabriel Arias' solo home run (7)
Gabriel Arias belts a solo homer to right-center field, cutting the Guardians' deficit to 4-1 in the top of the 7th inning