Max Scherzer Gets Injection in Thumb After Exiting 1st Blue Jays Start with Injury

Max Scherzer received a cortisone injection as treatment for the sore right thumb that ended his Toronto Blue Jays debut after just three innings and 45 pitches last Saturday, per the Associated Press.

Manager John Schneider told reporters the goal of the cortisone shot is to reduce inflammation and pain, per Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith.

Scherzer said his thumb "is in a pretty good spot" and that he hopes to play catch at some point during the Blue Jays' upcoming road trip, Sportsnet's Hazel Mae reported.

He also confirmed he had discussed surgery but was currently "not even close to that," per Mae.

The Blue Jays placed Scherzer on the 15-day injured list on Sunday. Manager John Schneider told reporters then that Scherzer would visit a hand specialist on Monday in the United States.

Scherzer said the specialist told him his thumb's "structures were in a pretty good spot," per Sportsnet's Shi Davidi.

The pitcher also said he has received cortisone injections in the past, including multiple during his 2024 season for the Texas Rangers, per Mae.

"Typically, I really respond well to cortisone," Scherzer said, per Davidi. "Have had plenty of these shots over the career."

Scherzer was originally shut down from his Blue Jays debut against the Baltimore Orioles with right lat soreness, which he later said was "100 percent related to the thumb."

“My shoulder, everything is compensating because of that thumb," Scherzer said after being placed on IL, per MLB.com's Keegan Matheson. "The thumb is slightly better, but I still have discomfort in there.

"Even though I was able to grip the ball a little bit better today, I still have discomfort in my thumb. My arm is making adjustments because of that. That’s a recipe for disaster.”

When speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Scherzer said his lat soreness "is gone," per Davidi.

"But that shows you how quickly something could get out of hand by pitching through a thumb injury," Scherzer said, per Davidi.

After offseason surgery on a herniated disc and thumb soreness delayed Scherzer's 2024 season debut until late June, Scherzer made just nine starts before hamstring and shoulder issues shut him down for the rest of the Rangers' campaign.

The Blue Jays will hope being cautious with his return to the mound can set up Scherzer for a healthier season in 2025.

Scherzer told reporters he is targeting Friday as a potential return to playing catch. There is no hard timeline for his return to pitching, but Schneider said he would be evaluated daily going forward, per Matheson.