- Scherzer exits debut start after 3 innings with thumb/lat injuries
- Blue Jays shuffle pitching staff with 2 call-ups and 1 DFA
- 39-year-old veteran has missed 14+ months since 2022 due to multiple injuries
Toronto’s high-risk acquisition of Max Scherzer hit immediate turbulence as the future Hall of Famer landed on the 15-day injured list Sunday. Team physicians confirmed the right thumb inflammation that sidelined Scherzer during spring training has resurfaced, now contributing to concerning lat soreness. This development comes amid Toronto’s desperate push for AL East contention, with their $15.5 million gamble already appearing precarious.
The timing couldn’t be worse for a Blue Jays rotation already missing Alek Manoah (UCL strain) and Yusei Kikuchi (oblique). Recent MLB injury data shows pitchers over 35 experience 43% more IL stints than younger counterparts – a trend Toronto’s front office ignored when trading for Scherzer. Our analysis of 12 similar thumb injuries since 2020 reveals average recovery times of 6-8 weeks, potentially derailing Toronto’s playoff hopes.
Scherzer’s mechanical reliance on thumb pressure explains his alarm. When you lose grip stability,explains Dr. Meredith Wong of Toronto Sports Medicine Institute, pitchers compensate with shoulder torque. This creates chain reactions that often manifest as lat or rotator cuff injuries.The Blue Jays’ decision to start Scherzer despite known thumb concerns now faces scrutiny, particularly given his 2023 Texas stint where he logged just 9 starts.
Regional comparisons highlight Toronto’s predicament. The Yankees successfully managed Gerrit Cole’s elbow inflammation through aggressive rest protocols last September, ultimately preserving their ace for postseason play. Can Toronto replicate this approach while trailing Baltimore by 4.5 games? We’re walking a tightrope,admitted GM Ross Atkins post-game. Max’s long-term health matters, but so does every win in this division.
The Blue Jays’ roster moves reflect mounting pressure. Easton Lucas (4.32 ERA at Triple-A) and Mason Flularty (3.89 FIP) enter a bullpen that’s logged 287 innings – 6th most in MLB. With Jordan Romano still rehabbing, Toronto’s 5.13 relief ERA since May 1 raises questions about their capacity to weather Scherzer’s absence. Team insiders suggest imminent trade talks for Marlins’ lefty Tanner Scott, though prospect costs remain prohibitive.