TORONTO — Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer threw 40 pitches of live batting practice Tuesday and could pitch in a minor-league game this weekend, manager John Schneider said.
A three-time Cy Young Award winner, Scherzer left his debut start with the Blue Jays against Baltimore on March 29 after three innings because of soreness in his right lat muscle. The next day, Toronto put Scherzer on the injured list because of inflammation in his thumb.
During Scherzer's live BP session Tuesday, Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber poked some fun at his former teammate by hopping into the batter's box and pretending to get set for an at-bat before backing out.
Sportsnet's Shi Davidi noted that Scherzer told Schwarber to "get in there."
“You think I’m going to hit you? I want to punch your ticket.”
Schwarber and Scherzer were teammates for half of the 2021 season with the Washington Nationals before both were dealt at the trade deadline.
The 40-year-old Scherzer signed a one-year, $15.5-million deal with the Blue Jays in February. He went 2-4 with a 3.95 ERA in nine starts for Texas last season, starting the year on the injured list while recovering from lower back surgery. He also had a stint on the IL with shoulder fatigue and didn’t pitch after Sept. 14 because of a left hamstring strain.
Scherzer has had two cortisone injections this season to relieve inflammation in his thumb. He was transferred to the 60-day injured list last month, but became eligible to return May 29.
Schneider said Scherzer is expected to pitch in either a simulated game or a Florida Complex League game on Sunday. The next step would be a minor-league rehab assignment.
Scherzer won World Series titles with Washington in 2019 and Texas in 2023. He won his first Cy Young Award after going 21-3 with a 2.90 ERA in 32 starts for Detroit in 2013. The eight-time All-Star earned consecutive NL Cy Young Awards with Washington in 2016 and 2017.
— With files from Sportsnet Staff
