Share and Follow
The tenure of Max Scherzer with the Blue Jays’ pitching rotation faces uncertainty following another challenging performance on Friday, compounded by the potential return of some sidelined pitchers.
At 41, Scherzer rejoined the team with hopes of redemption after their Game 7 World Series defeat last season. However, his recent outings have been less than stellar, struggling significantly in three of his five starts thus far.
Friday’s game against Cleveland saw Scherzer exit after just 2 1/3 innings, having surrendered seven runs on six hits. His performance included three walks and three home runs, culminating in an 8-6 loss on home turf.
Strikingly, Scherzer failed to strike out any batters during this game, following a similarly weak showing against the Diamondbacks where he managed only one strikeout.
Expressing his disappointment, Scherzer remarked, “It just stinks to lose this one. All of the other guys in the clubhouse did their job.”
“The offense fought. The bullpen came in and stepped up to cover some innings there. It stinks to have a clunker out there. I’ve got to watch the tape tomorrow and get back to work.”
Making matters more pressing for Toronto is that Trey Yesavage, Jose Berrios and Shane Bieber are all starting to circle dates to returrn from their respective injuries.
Yesavage could come back from a shoulder impingement as soon as this week against the Red Sox.
He’s set to meet with the Blue Jays over the weekend to decide next steps after a rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo.
Berrios (right elbow stress fracture) has a rehab start Tuesday in Buffalo, which could be his last as well.
Bieber is not quite as far along, with a return expected in late May, but he too will only be out so long.
Scherzer’s 9.64 ERA is by far the highest in the Blue Jays’ current rotation, so if someone needs to be bumped out, it seems likely that it would be him.
He’s dealt with forearm tenditis this season too, but insisted his struggles don’t have anything to do with a recurrence.
“No, I would not characterize this start as the fault of my forearm,” Scherzer said.