The Toronto Blue Jays will be without ace starting pitcher Max Scherzer for their upcoming game against the Los Angeles Angels tomorrow, the team confirmed. The three-time Cy Young Award winner continues to battle inflammation and nerve pain in his right thumb, which has significantly limited his effectiveness since the season’s outset.
Scherzer, 40, inked a one-year, $15.5 million deal with Toronto in February. However, his debut on March 29 triggered concern when he departed after just three innings with thumb inflammation—initially misdiagnosed as lat soreness
Since then, the Blue Jays have proceeded with caution: Scherzer was placed on the 15-day injured list, later moved to the 60-day IL, and underwent multiple cortisone shots along with rehab starts in Triple-A Despite showing promise in mid-season rehab—logging 75 pitches over 4⅓ innings on June 18—Toronto officials describe his return as “day-to-day,” noting that full recovery remains uncertain .
On Tuesday, manager John Schneider confirmed Scherzer would not start against the Angels, citing ongoing restrictions on his grip and lateral motion. Schneider emphasized they would not risk rushing the veteran back under pressure: “He first felt something in warmups, we tried to pitch through it—but we made the call after three innings. Frustrated is a good way to put it,” Schneider said
Scherzer himself has been transparent in interviews, explaining the thumb issue has become “an insurmountable threat” in terms of nerve pain that can cascade into forearm and shoulder strain. He has scaled back bullpen work, foregoing high‑intensity sessions and preparing on a pitch‑count basis—often topping out around 70–75 pitches .
Despite flashes of brilliance—like lining up nine consecutive outs against the Yankees earlier this week—Scherzer has struggled to maintain stamina, often exiting around the fifth inning due to swelling or numbness. His average pitch count has fallen well below typical starter workloads and foreshadows a cautious path forward .
Impact on Rotation & Strategy
Toronto’s rotation depth will be tested. Without Scherzer in the mix, the team may lean more heavily on newcomers Yariel Rodríguez or Bowden Francis to pick up turns. Since Toronto has an off-day on Thursday following the Angels matchup, Schneider may shuffle the schedule to ease the impact.
General manager Ross Atkins has echoed the sentiment of prioritizing long-term arm health over short-term gains: “Absolutely need him healthy, not half‑healthy,” Griffin stated this week. While Scherzer remains an influential presence in the clubhouse—assisting younger pitchers—the bullpen will need to shoulder extra innings in his absence.
Looking Ahead
Toronto has not provided a timeline for Scherzer’s return beyond “when the thumb is 100%.” His last rehab appearance on June 18 hinted at possible mid‑July readiness, but recent flare-ups have injected fresh caution into plans
Though Toronto remains committed to Scherzer’s long-term role—he’s eligible for 2026 if healthy—their primary focus now is healing over hype. Meanwhile, the Angels series looms large, and the club’s depth and bullpen will once again come under scrutiny.
Bottom line: Max Scherzer is not available for tomorrow’s start against the Angels due to persistent right-thumb inflammation and nerve pain. The Blue Jays are opting to let him rest until fully recovered rather than risk further injury. Expect an update on his status later in the week—but for now, the rotation is adjusting accordingly.
