Max Scherzer’s 2026 campaign with the Toronto Blue Jays has been a struggle defined by persistent injuries and limited time on the mound. The latest setback came on Wednesday when the Blue Jays placed him on a 15-day injured list due to back spasms.
Despite the latest setback, Scherzer is confident in his abilities and the prospects of the Blue Jays (36-38), who are third in the American League East, behind the New York Yankees (45-27) and Tampa Bay Rays (41-30).
“I absolutely have the utmost belief that I can be out there, I can be pitching, I can be helping the team win. Nothing that has happened has changed that,” Scherzer said on Wednesday after his IL placement, per Blue Jays insider Mitch Bannon.
While Scherzer has a positive outlook, the same cannot be said of the baseball fans. Many believe the time has passed for the three-time Cy Young winner to hang up his gloves. They shared their feelings about Scherzer on X.
Scherzer signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Blue Jays in March to return for his 19th MLB season. Through six starts in 2026, the 41-year-old veteran posted a 1-4 record with a high 10.23 ERA across 22 innings.
Blue Jays Won Without Max Scherzer
The Toronto Blue Jays blanked the Boston Red Sox, 3-0, at Fenway Park on Wednesday. Blue Jays faced immediate adversity when they had to place scheduled starter Max Scherzer on the injured list before the game.
In Scherzer’s absence, Toronto cycled through seven pitchers in the unexpected bullpen night. Relief pitcher Braydon Fisher started for the Blue Jays and secured the first four outs of the game.
Simeon Woods Richardson pitched three innings after Fisher’s 1.1 scoreless innings. Mason Fluharty, Spencer Miles, Jeff Hoffman, Tyler Rogers and Louis Varland were the other pitchers used by the Blue Jays. All pitched 1.1 innings or less.
Meanwhile, Toronto’s batting order secured the victory with opportunistic and aggressive base running in the third inning. Davis Schneider kicked off the rally launching a lead-off double off Red Sox starter Jake Bennett.
Andres Gimenez drove Schneider home with a clutch one-out single and followed it by stealing second base. Gimenez and George Springer then combined for a double steal after the latter was hit by a pitch, allowing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to drive in his shortstop teammate home.
Boston had plenty of opportunities in the game, but none of their batters couldn’t drive in any of their teammates home. The Red Sox lineup combined went 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position.
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