When a 40-year-old pitcher, especially one as intense as Max Scherzer—starts dealing with soreness before the season even begins, alarm bells tend to ring. The Blue Jays brought him in for his experience, his fire, and his ability to win big games, but given Scherzer’s age and recent injury history, the concerns were valid. Would Toronto’s prized offseason addition be ready in time? Would this be the first crack in the foundation of a rotation that already had its fair share of question marks?
The uncertainty was real, and with the AL East shaping up to be a showdown, the Blue Jays couldn’t afford to start the year shorthanded. But just as quickly as doubt crept in, there’s now a reason for hope. Scherzer has been making steady progress, increasing his throwing sessions without setbacks as shared by manager John Schneider with an optimistic tone.
“We’re following his lead on this,” Schneider said on Blair & Barker. “He threw a little bit off the mound yesterday… The encouraging thing is he’s been a little better each time he’s been off the mound. Shooting for 60-65 pitches.” Scherzer is now all-set to pitch against the Red Sox on Saturday, which will be a solid opportunity to evaluate his performance before Opening Day.
John Schneider on #BlairandBarker re Max Scherzer (thumb):
“We’re following his lead on this.. he threw a little bit off the mound yesterday.. Encouraging thing is he’s been a little better each time he’s been off the mound. Shooting for 60-65 pitches.
Starting @RedSox Saturday
— Hazel Mae (@thehazelmae) March 21, 2025
The Blue Jays aren’t just hoping for Scherzer to be a solid rotation piece—they need him to be a tone-setter. At his best, the $15.5 million worth Scherzer is an ace with an intimidating presence, a fiery demeanor, and a track record of dominating on the mound. Even after his elite years, he remains a difference-maker. Even if he’s taking the ball every fifth day, Toronto’s rotation instantly looks more dangerous in an ultra-competitive AL East.
And let’s be honest, Toronto needs this kind of boost. The front office made aggressive moves this offseason, including landing Anthony Santander, but they also struck out on other big names. To stay competitive with the Yankees and Orioles and make a run for the playoffs, the Blue Jays must rely on Scherzer to provide stability by pitching long innings, striking out opponents efficiently, and coming in clutch on crucial games.
Saturday’s start against Boston will be a key moment. If Scherzer looks sharp and hits that 60-65 pitch mark, it’s a sign that he could still be in the mix for Opening Day. If there’s any lingering discomfort, the Blue Jays will likely proceed with caution. Either way, the fact that he’s back on the mound is already a big step forward.
So for now, the Blue Jays can breathe a little easier. Scherzer is on the mend, and if he’s anywhere near his old self, Toronto just got a whole lot scarier.
Blue Jays spring storylines: Scherzer’s and Guerrero take center stage
Spring training is always about fine-tuning, but for the Blue Jays, this camp has been dominated by two burning questions—how ready is Max Scherzer, and will Vladimir Guerrero Jr. lock in a long-term deal? As we discussed earlier, Scherzer was expected to stabilize Toronto’s rotation, but thumb soreness threw a wrench into those plans. Now, with his next test set for March 22 against the Twins, the Blue Jays are watching closely.
Meanwhile, Guerrero’s contract talks have taken on a life of their own. After rejecting an initial offer reportedly weighed down by heavy deferrals, he signaled he’s still open to an extension. But at what cost? With Juan Soto’s massive $765 million deal setting the market trend, Guerrero’s negotiations have become even more complicated. President Mark Shapiro remains optimistic, but as Opening Day approaches, time is ticking to the deadline.
In the end, the Blue Jays have the pieces for a dominant rotation, but the puzzle isn’t complete just yet. Scherzer’s health, along with the consistency of Berríos and Kikuchi, and Guerrero’s contract could determine whether this staff thrives or struggles. How do you think they’ll fare?
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