DUNEDIN, Fla. — Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer underwent an MRI on his right thumb and "everything came back normal," according to manager John Schneider.
Scherzer was scheduled to start in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Baltimore Orioles but that was pushed back due to soreness in his thumb.
Schneider said the MRI showed some inflammation but noted the club doesn't believe Scherzer's injury is related to the nerve issue he encountered last year that affected his thumb and triceps and limited him to just nine starts. He did add, though, that Scherzer has dealt with this specific thumb problem in years past.
Scherzer played catch on Wednesday and Thursday and the next step would be for him to throw off a mound sometime in the next two days.
"After that, we'll see," said Schneider. "He's already kind of built up, so hopefully we can get him back into a game really shortly."
Scherzer last pitched on Saturday when he allowed one hit over 3.1 scoreless frames against the Detroit Tigers. The 40-year-old struck out six and issued no walks while tossing 49 pitches in the outing. Over seven innings this spring, Scherzer has allowed two hits and compiled 10 strikeouts.
"I think with way he was throwing, new team, [he's] definitely bummed," said Schneider. "But I think he's managed this before and we're going to do everything we can to make sure he's continuing to manage it."
Scherzer, who’s entering his 18th big-league season, signed a one-year, $15.5-million deal with the Blue Jays in February. The right-hander has earned three Cy Young awards and eight all-star appearances over an impressive career that has him on track for the Hall of Fame.
Left-hander Easton Lucas started Thursday's game for the Blue Jays and he'll be followed in the rotation by Yariel Rodriguez on Friday, Bowden Francis on Saturday and Jose Berrios on Sunday. Kevin Gausman will start Monday's split squad game against the Yankees in Dunedin, Fla., while right-hander Chris Bassitt will face the Phillies that day in Clearwater, Fla.
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