The Toronto Blue Jays placed veteran starting pitcher Max Scherzer on the 15-day injured list Monday due to right forearm tendinitis and left ankle inflammation. The move is retroactive to April 26.
Injury Details
Scherzer, 41, left his start Saturday against the Arizona Diamondbacks after six innings, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out seven. He had been scheduled to start Tuesday against the Kansas City Royals. The three-time Cy Young Award winner has a 3.86 ERA in five starts this season, striking out 35 batters over 28 innings.
The right forearm tendinitis is a recurrence of an issue that sidelined him for part of spring training. The ankle inflammation is new, after Scherzer tweaked his ankle while covering first base in his previous start.
Team Impact
Blue Jays manager John Schneider expressed optimism about Scherzer's recovery. "We're being cautious with Max. He's a competitor, but we want to make sure he's 100 percent before he takes the mound again," Schneider said. The team recalled right-handed reliever Zach Pop from Triple-A Buffalo to fill the roster spot.
Scherzer's absence leaves a gap in the rotation. The Blue Jays will rely on Yusei Kikuchi, Kevin Gausman, and José Berríos to anchor the staff. Toronto currently sits third in the American League East with a 16-12 record.
Scherzer's Career
Now in his 18th major league season, Scherzer owns a career 215-107 record with a 3.15 ERA and 3,400 strikeouts. He signed a one-year, $15 million contract with Toronto in January after spending 2025 with the Texas Rangers. The eight-time All-Star is 14th on the all-time strikeout list.
The Blue Jays have not set a timeline for Scherzer's return, but the team expects him to miss at least two weeks.
