Max Scherzer Was 'Aware' of His Pitch-Tipping Before Blue Jays' Loss to Yankees

Picking up on pitch signs has become increasingly popular in baseball, and the New York Yankees have seemingly mastered the tactic.

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Max Scherzer was the latest victim during a 4-3 loss to the Yankees on Sunday. Scherzer, who gave up four runs in 4.1 innings on Sunday, said he was "aware" that the Yankees were picking up on his changeup out of his glove while at first base.

"It's something we're aware of, that you can get my changeup out of my glove from first base," Scherzer said, per The Athletic's Chris Kirschner and Mitch Bannon. "It's something we've known. It's not just the Yankees. Across the league, guys can do that. I've had multiple people tell me that. I thought I had addressed it, thought I had made the proper adjustment to get my glove in front of my face, but clearly I hadn't."

Kirschner and Bannon noted that the Yankees were able to pick up on Scherzer's changeup in the first inning when Aaron Judge was on second and Cody Bellinger was on first. Bellinger motioned his arm up and down to alert Judge that a changeup was coming, and Judge then relayed that information to the batter, leading to a three-run home run from Ben Rice.

While the Yankees' method is pretty straightforward, it's effective. Scherzer found out the hard way on Sunday.

"Maybe we're just so obvious with it with our motion," Bellinger said. "I think that's probably what it is. A lot of teams are discreet. We just kind of, if we got it, you know."