Max Scherzer makes first rehab start, pushing close to Blue Jays return

New York Times

14 hours ago

It was a big evening at Buffalo's Sahlen Field — friendship bracelet night, post-game fireworks and a Buffalo Bill defensive back throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. But the real draw was the 40-year-old starting pitcher on the mound.
Making his first rehab start with the Buffalo Bisons, Max Scherzer threw 56 pitches for the Toronto Blue Jays' Triple-A affiliate. The veteran righty hadn't pitched in a formal contest since a three-inning Blue Jays debut on March 29. A thumb injury and back tightness have kept Scherzer from contributing to Toronto's strong start to 2025, instead relegated to cortisone shots and bullpen sessions. After two months away, Friday's rehab outing pushed Scherzer close to his Blue Jays return — and Toronto's rotation needs him.
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The Jays had a simple checklist for Scherzer's first outing: Throw 60 to 65 pitches, flash solid fastball velocity and rebound well the next day. We'll see how the righty feels moving forward, but he mostly ticked the first two boxes. Scherzer ended his outing at 56 pitches, striking out four batters with no walks. His final two fastballs dipped below 90 miles per hour, but the righty averaged 91.9 mph on his primary pitch, just below his 2024 season average.
'I couldn't care less about his line score,' manager John Schneider said.
The 50-pitch mark has been a big obstacle for Scherzer this year, as that's when the soreness in his right thumb flares up. After multiple shots in various joints and over two months away from games, the righty pushed past that barrier in Friday's fifth inning. He'll have to prove he can consistently surpass the barrier — and mitigate soreness between starts — before rejoining Toronto's rotation.
'Getting through that point and then seeing how he feels tomorrow,' Schneider said. 'I know he's talked about that 50 pitch mark quite a bit.'
There was a slim chance Scherzer makes an immediate jump back to the big leagues, Schneider said before the veteran's rehab start. More likely, Scherzer will need at least one more outing in Triple A. He's expected to join the Blue Jays in Philadelphia, throw a bullpen session and likely return to the Bisons for another rehab outing.
The Jays have used five different starters to cover Scherzer's spot in the rotation this year. With strong performances from Eric Lauer (2.37 ERA) and Paxton Schultz (3.06 ERA), Toronto has managed through the absence, but regular bullpen days and the struggles of fourth starter Bowden Francis have put pressure on the rest of Toronto's staff. A healthy Scherzer can relieve that pressure, eliminating the all-reliever games or pushing Francis into a new role to re-find his 2024 form.
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Once one of the most reliable pitchers in baseball, making starts has been an issue for Scherzer the last few years. He's made just 37 total appearances since 2023 Opening Day, but has still been effective when he throws, owning a 3.84 ERA in that stretch. The well-located pitches and strikeout stuff flashed in Scherzer's Buffalo start, but that wasn't the main concern. It matters most how he, and his thumb, feel tomorrow.
Toronto has managed through 69 games with just three stable starters, but it's not sustainable. Lauer, Schultz, Easton Lucas and José Ureña have all taken turns filling in the gap, but it was Scherzer who the Blue Jays paid $15.5 million to be that fourth guy. With Friday's start in Buffalo, the role may be filled soon.