Just one start into the season, and the Blue Jays’ ace is back on the injured list. The $15.5 million was supposed to be a savior for the team. But currently, he is only bolstering their injured list. Max Scherzer is out of the Blue Jays’ rotation, and so is his experience and dominance. Now, Toronto is just scrambling for answers.
His placement on the 15-day IL with right lat soreness raises serious issues, specifically analyzing his history of injuries. With the Blue Jays already facing pitching depth issues, the timing could not be worse. Can the team weather this storm? Is this the first sign of trouble in their playoff ambitions?
Max Scherzer’s debut with the team lasted just three innings before he was withdrawn because of discomfort. While the issue seems minor, it has been a lingering one for Brown Eye. He even admitted that the issue forced him to alter his mechanics, leading to a lat strain—an all-too-familiar issue for the 40-year-old.
This is not an isolated instance. Max Scherzer missed vital time last season because of shoulder and back problems. His decreasing durability is a worrying sign for the team. And now, Scherzer’s IL stint forces the Blue Jays to rethink their rotation approach early in the season.
Losing him is more than just missing a starter. The team was already walking a tightrope with its pitching depth. Even though Kevin Gausman and José Berríos are capable talents, Alek Manoah is still struggling to identify his form. Besides, Chris Bassitt’s uncertain consistency makes the margin for error razor-thin. And in such a scenario, Scherzer was supposed to be the stabilizer, the pitcher who could take pressure off the rest of the staff. Instead, his absence magnifies existing concerns.
If injuries continue to pile up like this, the Blue Jays could be forced into early-season desperation mode—something no team wants this soon.
Long-period implications: What the Blue Jays can do now
In any other division, losing a frontline starter could be a setback. And in the AL East, it’s a potential disaster. The Yankees and Orioles boast deep rotations, while the Rays always seem to find a way to maximize their pitching staff. So, the Blue Jays can’t afford to slip behind early, especially when every game counts.
And now, Scherzer’s injury raises a critical question: How many games can Toronto afford to lose before the gap becomes hopeless? A slow start could force the front office into making midseason trades for pitching help—something they might not have planned for this soon. But Toronto’s immediate solution? Promoting left-handers Mason Fluharty and Easton Lucas. Fluharty posted a respectable 3.63 ERA in Triple-A last season, while Lucas struggled in limited MLB action.
Neither is a proven alternative for Scherzer! So, yeah, it’s a high-risk, untested strategy.
The real issue is whether these young arms can hold their own until Scherzer returns. If they falter, the Blue Jays might have to dig deeper into their farm system or explore external options. Either way, this injury has thrown an unexpected wrench into their season.
The Blue Jays hoped for a season where pitching depth wouldn’t be a problem. Just a few games in, that hope is already being tested. Scherzer’s absence leaves a massive hole in the rotation, and how Toronto responds could define their season.
The post Blue Jays Face Concerning Blow as $15.5M Ace Lands on Injured List Amid Mounting Health Woes appeared first on EssentiallySports.