Max Scherzer Reportedly 'Not on Track' to Be Nationals' Opening Day Starter

Max Scherzer will not start Opening Day for the Washington Nationals, but he is expected to be ready within the first week.

According to CSN Mid-Atlantic, "manager Dusty Baker said that [the pitcher] is not on track to be the team's opening day starter" but will likely be the third pitcher in the rotation.

Scherzer pulled out of the World Baseball Classic in January after suffering a stress fracture in the knuckle of his right ring finger. He hadn't been able to pitch in spring training until making his debut Wednesday.

He allowed two earned runs and five hits in 4.2 innings against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Per Jamal Collier of MLB.com, the pitcher declared himself fully healthy:

Now the only issue is building up his stamina in order to pitch a major league game. The Nationals' first game of the season is April 3 against the Miami Marlins. The last game of the series would be April 6, which is when Scherzer is projected to make his season debut as of now.

The 32-year-old is coming off his second Cy Young award title, leading the league with 20 wins, 284 strikeouts and 0.968 WHIP.

While the Nationals want to make sure their ace is healthy, they have quality rotation depth with Stephen Strasburg and Tanner Roark both capable of matching up with the best pitchers in the league.