Max Scherzer took a step Wednesday in his return from a right thumb injury. The Toronto Blue Jays pitcher threw to hitters for the first time since March.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider commented positively on Scherzer’s session. "I thought his stuff was really good," Schneider said before the game against the Los Angeles Angels.
Scherzer, 40, is on the injured list with right thumb inflammation. He exited his Blue Jays debut on March 29 early due to the injury.
Schneider added that Scherzer felt good after throwing. This progress follows tightness and soreness experienced earlier in his recovery. The plan includes throwing live again this weekend in Seattle with a higher pitch count.
The right-hander's thumb injury has contributed to multiple IL stints in recent years. Scherzer has dealt with injuries frequently since the start of the 2022 season, including a teres major strain in 2023 linked to lingering thumb issues affecting his grip and delivery. Scherzer has received two cortisone shots in his thumb this season.
The Blue Jays' starting rotation has struggled in Scherzer’s absence. Before their series against the Angels, the team's starters held the fifth-worst ERA in baseball.
To address pitching depth, Toronto recently signed José Ureña and Spencer Turnbull. Ureña made his team debut Tuesday night against the Angels, allowing two runs on four hits across 4 1/3 innings.
Meanwhile, a potential trade target for the Blue Jays is Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Mitch Keller. Bleacher Report linked the $60 million pitcher to a potential trade this summer, citing the Pirates' possible seller status in the National League Central and Toronto's need for pitching stability beyond the current season.
Keller holds a 1-3 record with a 4.38 ERA and 29 strikeouts across seven starts this season for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Acquiring a pitcher like Keller under contract could offer the Blue Jays a known price point through 2028 compared to free agency.
Schneider said of Scherzer's outing, "Afterward, he said he felt good, so that's a really good step in the right direction."
