Max Scherzer Placed on IL with Thumb Injury, Blue Jays Pitcher to See Hand Specialist

The Toronto Blue Jays are placing star pitcher Max Scherzer on the 15-day injured list due to inflammation in his right thumb.

"Hopefully this kind of resets him and knocks it out," manager John Schneider told reporters regarding Scherzer's persistent thumb issues. "We obviously need him. Elite pitcher, and we want him to feel his best."

Schneider added that the starting pitcher will see a hand specialist for the issue.

Scherzer left his first start of the season after just three innings on Tuesday due to right lat soreness, though he told reporters that his lat issues were directly related to his thumb inflammation.

"This thumb is absolutely critical to your arm health," he said. "I've got to get this 100 percent before I pitch again."

On Saturday, Scherzer gave up two runs and three hits—including a pair of solo home runs—while striking out one and walking none on 45 pitches. Not exactly the debut he or the Blue Jays were hoping for after he signed a one-year, $15.5 million deal with the organization in free agency.

Injuries have become a major storyline for the 40-year-old in recent years. He only made nine starts for the Texas Rangers last season due to recovery from offseason lower back surgery and also had two stints on the injured list with shoulder fatigue and a left hamstring strain.

He also missed a major chunk of the 2022 season with the New York Mets due to an oblique injury.

As for Scherzer's short-term replacement in the rotation, that remains up for grabs.

"It could be Easton Lucas. It could be Yariel Rodríguez sliding back into the rotation," Schneider told reporters. “At this point in the year, he's pretty built up. I think that start is Friday we're looking at, so we'll see how we land today and the next couple games, then go from there."