The Toronto Blue Jays moved pitcher Max Scherzer to the 60-day injured list Monday as the right-hander continues to deal with a right thumb injury.
The move is retroactive to March 29, the date of his last appearance. This designation means Scherzer will not be eligible to return to the active roster until May 29 at the earliest.
The Blue Jays announced several other roster changes Monday. Right-hander Erik Swanson was also placed on the 60-day injured list because of a right forearm injury that has kept him sidelined since the start of the season.
The team also signed pitchers José Ureña and Spencer Turnbull to one-year deals. Ureña was designated for assignment by the New York Mets last week and is set to join the team on their current road trip. Turnbull was optioned to the Florida Complex League roster.
Scherzer, 40, has made one start this season. He pitched three innings and allowed two runs on March 29 against the Baltimore Orioles, throwing 45 pitches before leaving early due to a sore right lat muscle. Scherzer said the lat issue developed because of the thumb injury.
The thumb has been a concern for Scherzer dating back to spring training, where he was limited to four starts. He signed a one-year, $15.5 million deal with the Blue Jays this past offseason.
Swanson has yet to appear for Toronto this season. An MRI showed no structural damage to his forearm, but he has not made progress toward returning. He was shut down before a planned rehab game last Wednesday.
Scherzer made only nine starts last season with the Texas Rangers, missing time due to shoulder and hamstring injuries. He finished 2024 with a 3.95 ERA over 43 1/3 innings pitched.
The Blue Jays hold a 16-18 record entering Tuesday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels, the start of a six-game road trip.
"I just didn’t feel like I could really let the ball go,” Scherzer said at the time of his lone start. "I had to back down the effort level. I was able to at least get through three and not blow up the bullpen. But after that third inning, I could just kind of tell we’re in imminent danger."
