Future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer looked comfortable in his first outing with the Toronto Blue Jays.
The veteran right-hander had four strikeouts in two innings of work, allowing just one run, against the St. Louis Cardinals Tuesday afternoon.
The three-time Cy Young winner threw 34 pitches and allowed one hit. He was replaced by Bowden Francis to start the third inning.
The Blue Jays won the game, 3-2, after falling behind 2-0 early. Second baseman Andrés Giménez, who was acquired in the off-season from the Guardians, led the way offensively with two hits, an RBI and a run scored. Alejandro Kirk and Michael Stefanic also had RBIs for the Blue Jays, and Ernie Clement and Steward Berroa each had two hits.
Bo Bichette went hitless in three at-bats and Vladmir Guerrero Jr. had a walk and a strikeout.
The Blue Jays signed Scherzer to a one-year, $15.5-million contract in early February. He is looking to bounce back after an injury-plagued 2024 in which he made only nine starts for the Texas Rangers.
“You’re constantly evolving, whether you’re at the top of your game or not,” he said at his introductory press conference. “I’m still going out there competing to get better at something every single time out. Whatever the hand you’ve been dealt in terms of injuries or body, is what you’ve got to play. Find a way to go out there, compete and win.”
The Blue Jays improved to 3-0 in spring training action and return to the field Wednesday against the Phillies. Coverage on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ begins at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT.
