Max Scherzer's Forearm Got Worse and Toronto's Rotation Just Became a Full-on Disaster
The Toronto Blue Jays' injury nightmare got darker Monday when Max Scherzer bailed after two innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers, his right forearm tendinitis flaring up again in a 14-2 loss that felt like a kick while they're already down. The three-time Cy Young Award winner lasted just 120 pitches worth of misery, and yeah, manager John Schneider said Scherzer will be ready for his next turn, but when you're watching your ace's fastball velocity drop like a stone, that's cold comfort.
The Velocity Tell
Here's the thing that should worry every Blue Jays fan: Scherzer threw his fastball at an average of 93.4 mph in Tuesday's start against Colorado. On Monday against LA? That number dropped to 92.1 mph. The 41-year-old Scherzer, who signed back with Toronto in February, gave up two runs and two hits in those brutal two innings. Teoscar Hernandez went deep in the first, driving in Kyle Tucker off a walk. When your ace's heater is losing steam like that, something's not right.
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The Jays have four starters parked on the injured list. Cody Ponce is out after leaving his first major league game since 2021 in the third inning last Monday, blowing out his knee chasing an infield grounder. Trey Yesavage (shoulder), Jose Berrios (elbow), and Shane Bieber (elbow) are all working their way back from injuries and haven't pitched yet this season. It's brutal. It's unsustainable. So Toronto brought in left-hander Josh Fleming from Triple-A Buffalo to take over in the third Monday, and then on Friday they signed 36-year-old left-hander Patrick Corbin to a one-year deal. Corbin started for Single-A Dunedin on Saturday and threw five innings, allowing one run, but that's a Band-Aid on a broken leg.
If Scherzer can't stay healthy and the rest of the rotation keeps falling apart, Toronto's early season is going to get a whole lot harder real fast.
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