The Toronto Blue Jays have reasons to be confident that they can improve on their 74-88 record from last year. Not only do they still have Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette for the time being, but they also added future Hall of Fame pitcher Max Scherzer in the offseason.
The 40-year-old looks like his prime self thus far, as he finished the spring with a 1-0 record, 1.38 ERA, and 0.46 WHIP in four starts.
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Scherzer is a three-time Cy Young Award winner and two-time World Series champion, winning with the Washington Nationals in 2019 and the Texas Rangers in 2023. The right-hander’s resume is among the best, and now he’s healthy to boot.
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer (31).Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Scherzer had a thumb injury recently that put his status for the start of the season in doubt, but it was revealed on Sunday by manager John Schneider that the veteran right-hander is feeling good (via Shi Davidi of Sportsnet). Following this news, the Blue Jays announced he will make his first start of the season on Saturday.
“SATURDAY: A Hall of Famer makes his #BlueJays debut,” the team said on X. “Come see Mad Max!”
Scherzer will face the Baltimore Orioles in the third of the four-game series to open the regular season.
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The 6-foot-3-inch, 208-pounder signed a one-year, $15 million deal with Toronto in the winter. In addition to the Nationals and Rangers, he previously pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Mets.
After their Orioles series, the Blue Jays will host the Nationals in a three-game set before facing the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox on the road. They’ll then play the Orioles in Baltimore in an early rematch.
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