Max Scherzer delivered five innings of two-run ball for the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday night, but fans will hold their breath after a conspicuous exit from the game.
With two outs in the fourth inning, Scherzer appeared to call out Blue Jays manager John Schneider and training staff after flexing his hand on the mound. During the meeting, he seemingly told the staff, “I’m fine,” before closing out the inning on the next pitch.
As he dropped down into the dugout, the 40-year-old appeared to say something to Schneider and pitching coach Pete Walker before giving his teammates fist bumps — signalling the end of his night.
Scherzer, of course, is working to stay healthy after missing multiple months with a thumb injury that first flared up in spring training.
After Toronto’s 5-4 win over the New York Yankees, Schneider said that thumb fatigue contributed to Scherzer’s exit, adding that the club will monitor how the veteran starter feels ahead of his next start, which tentatively lines up for Saturday against the Los Angeles Angels.
Scherzer threw 71 pitches against the Yankees and had just closed out a scoreless fifth. In comparison, Scherzer threw 83 pitches in his return to Toronto’s rotation against the Cleveland Guardians last Wednesday.
Monday’s performance was the best Scherzer had looked as a Blue Jay, as the three-time Cy Young winner struck out seven and allowed just three hits in the outing. He also worked up to 95.1 m.p.h. with his fastball, averaging 93.6 with the offering.
The only damage the Yankees could muster against Scherzer came in the fourth inning, when Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit a two-run homer.
