The future Hall of Famer expressed a gritty mindset following the loss, noting that he needs to watch the tape and get back to work immediately. He compared the experience to getting punched in the face, emphasizing the need to “spit it out” and figure out exactly what went wrong.

While Scherzer is just one strikeout away from the 3,500 mark, his performance has dipped significantly with a 9.64 ERA across five starts this season. He remains focused on the mechanics of his delivery rather than using his forearm as an excuse for the recent lack of command.

John Schneider about Scherzer situation

Blue Jays manager John Schneider echoed his pitcher’s sentiment, stating he doesn’t believe Scherzer is dealing with anything terrible from a physical standpoint. Schneider noted that the veteran simply “got it handed to him” in a rough first inning where the Guardians took advantage of every mistake.

The manager joked that the “baseball gods” might be holding off on the 3,500th strikeout, as Cleveland hitters laid off close pitches and took aggressive, productive swings. Scherzer struggled to find a feel for his secondary pitches, specifically failing to locate his trademark curveball and slider effectively.

Toronto currently sits fourth in the AL East with a 10-15 record, and the rotation is under immense pressure with several starters on the injured list. Schneider emphasized that the Guardians deserve credit for their approach, while the team investigates if Scherzer is unintentionally “giving anything away” on the mound.

Hazel Mae shared Scherzer’s comments from April 12 on X: “Max Scherzer on the Blue Jays’ 6-9 start to the season: ‘whether you’re hurt, whether you’re not, when you have something, whether you don’t, no one cares. This is about going out there and winning ball games.’”

Scherzer recently took full accountability for one of his worst outings of the season, making it clear he’s part of the problem as well. That accountability now shapes his message, focusing on what the team must do to turn things around.

A slow start, but not unfamiliar

The Blue Jays’ first 15 games of 2026 closely mirror last season’s trajectory. At this same point in 2025, they were 8-7, and it wasn’t until June that they began to find consistency, eventually reaching 46-38 by the end of that month.

The pattern goes back even further. In 2024, Toronto also stumbled out of the gate but never recovered, finishing 74-88 and missing the postseason, a season in which Scherzer was not part of the roster.

Now, despite the absence of Bo Bichette, the team still features established stars like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and a core group familiar with the organization. That foundation suggests there’s still a path forward if they can stabilize their play.

The report came from Hazel Mae on X: “Max Scherzer on Sunday’s disappointing outing: ‘(I) lost the ball game. I can look at myself in the mirror, and I’m accountable for how I go out there and execute. Today I didn’t get it done.’”

Scherzer entered that game with a 2.55 ERA, but after the rough outing, his ERA jumped to 9.58, making him a clear target for criticism following the series loss to Minnesota at home.

A tough series for the Blue Jays

Over the three-game set against the Twins, Toronto relied on Patrick Corbin, Eric Lauer, and Scherzer to deliver at home. In the end, Corbin was the only one who managed to secure a win, while Lauer also had a difficult outing.

Scherzer hadn’t had such a rough performance in terms of earned runs with Toronto since September 2025, when the Blue Jays were crushed 20-1 by the Kansas City Royals on the road. In that game, he allowed seven earned runs in just 0.2 innings, his worst regular-season outing with the team last year.

When will Scherzer return to the mound?

According to the team’s schedule, the Blue Jays expect Scherzer to make his next start in Game 2 of their road series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 18, giving the veteran time to rest and reset before his next opportunity.

“Given the state of our team and our pitching staff, those were explicit directions. You cannot hurt yourself. You can’t take a risk,” Scherzer said, according to MLB.com. “It’s much better to be talking about this today after this start, a little forearm strain, versus a forearm strain. We’re not talking about that.”

The Blue Jays have now lost five straight games and will face Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani over the next two days, increasing reliance on an overworked bullpen that covered 21 innings in three days.

Rotation depth remains top concern

Manager John Schneider, who recently admitted that the Blue Jays aren’t playing “their baseball,” confirmed the plan for Scherzer was limited to three innings, aiming to preserve him for upcoming starts. Toronto is also evaluating Patrick Corbin, who recently threw 74 pitches at Single-A Dunedin, as a potential emergency starter if needed.

With injuries to Trey Yesavage, Jose Berrios, and Shane Bieber, the Blue Jays are navigating a delicate balance between rehab assignments and filling innings at the major league level. The immediate goal is simply to maintain one healthy starter while bridging the gap to returning players.

Pitching staff faces continued challenges

Adam Macko and other Triple-A options provide short-term relief, but none offer the length the team desperately needs. Toronto’s rotation depth will continue to be tested until injured starters ramp up their workloads, leaving Scherzer’s cautious approach as a model of discipline amid uncertainty.

Keegan Matheson was among the first to report the news on X: “News: Max Scherzer is dealing with right forearm tendinitis. The Blue Jays knew this going in and it didn’t get any worse. John Schneider is ‘fairly confident’ he’ll make his next start.”

With Schneider’s update, Blue Jays fans can feel some relief, even though the team hasn’t had the best start to the season. Scherzer currently holds a 1-1 record with a 3.38 ERA and six strikeouts, a relatively solid opening for the veteran.

What happens if Scherzer can’t return to the mound?

If Scherzer is unable to make his next MLB start, the Blue Jays will need to adjust their rotation. They could turn to a bullpen arm or call up a pitcher from Triple-A to temporarily fill the spot while he recovers.

Losing Scherzer wouldn’t be ideal for Toronto, especially considering his role last season in helping the team make a deep run. He made 17 starts in the regular season with a 5.19 ERA, and in the postseason he posted a 3.77 ERA across three appearances, adding to his extensive playoff résumé.

Among the team’s starters so far in the 2026 season, Scherzer holds the third-best ERA, trailing Dylan Case (2.79 ERA) and Kevin Gausman (0.75 ERA), who has yet to earn a decision this year.

John Schneider spoke about Scherzer’s role in the 2026 rotation in a video shared on X by Daniele Franceschi. “If we can have the playoff version of Max, as consistent as we can, I think that’s a really good outcome for us,” the manager said.

Scherzer being listed at the back of the rotation, behind Cody Ponce, is not a negative sign. The Blue Jays are looking to manage their pitching staff carefully during the first weeks of the season. The order is expected to change as the year progresses.

Blue Jays rotation numbers

Scherzer posted strong numbers during spring training. After his second-to-last outing, he had 12.2 innings pitched, four hits allowed, zero earned runs, four walks and eight strikeouts. While some downplay spring stats, it is clear he is in good shape heading into the new season.

• Kevin Gausman
• Dylan Cease
• Eric Lauer
• Cody Ponce
• Max Scherzer

Kevin Gausman was one of the top performers in 2025, finishing with a 3.59 ERA and a 10-11 record across 32 starts. He is expected to take a step forward, with Baseball Reference projecting a 3.78 ERA for 2026.

Dylan Cease appeared in two spring games with a 1.93 ERA and enters his first season with the Blue Jays after posting a 4.55 ERA in 2025 with the San Diego Padres. His projection for 2026 stands at a 4.20 ERA. Eric Lauer was Toronto’s best starting pitcher in 2025, recording a 3.18 ERA across 28 games, including 15 starts.

As for Cody Ponce, there is optimism he can deliver a strong season. He has not pitched in the MLB since 2021, spending recent years in Japan and Korea. In spring training, he made five starts and posted a 0.66 ERA, raising expectations for his return.

According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the Blue Jays will bring Max Scherzer back for another season. The 41-year-old, according to Spotrac, will earn a base $3 million contract that can max out at $13 million. It is a one-year deal.

Scherzer did have a career-worse 5.19 ERA, but his outings in the MLB playoffs were very good. He had 82 strikeouts and allowed 19 home runs in 2025. Scherzer still had the fire in him, and apparently it was enough for the Blue Jays to bring him back.

Scherzer is now one of the richest MLB players ever

With this contract, Scherzer’s career earnings would top $393 million in guaranteed money. This puts him fourth in the all-time list of biggest earners in the MLB. Per Spotrac, this will make Scherzer tie Miguel Cabrera. The New York Mets tied thim to a three-year, $130 million contract, but stopped paying him in 2024. However, he earned $15 million from the Blue Jays last season, alongside another $15 million in deferred payments from the Nationals.

The list is topped by Alex Rodriguez, the Yankees legend who bagged $485 million, followed by Justin Verlander with $422 million. Cabrera and Scherzer both get $393 million to their names, while the top five is closed by Albert Pujols, who earned $341 million during his playing days.

Blue Jays rotation will be one to watch

The Blue Jays were so close to winning the World Series that they feel like they can run it back. Bringing Scherzer back is a way of putting that statement out in the public. This is how their rotation for 2026 looks like:

• Kevin Gausman
• Trey Yesavage
• José Berrios
• Cody Ponce
• Shane Bieber
• Max Scherzer

According to Tom Ruminski of The Score, the Blue Jays are considering bringing back two-time World Series champion Max Scherzer for the next season. Ruminski notes, “The 41-year-old Scherzer is reportedly back on the Blue Jays’ radar after the club made a late run at Framber Valdez before the left-hander agreed to a deal with the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday.”

Incorporating Scherzer into their rotation would give the Blue Jays an experienced arm, potentially in his final MLB season. His presence could serve as a catalytic force for the team’s ambitions, providing a blend of skill and veteran leadership to motivate Toronto’s players to push for excellence.

Following reports that the Red Sox signed a versatile infielder formerly with the Blue Jays on a $6M deal, Toronto is expected to counter with an announcement potentially featuring Scherzer, alongside other key offseason acquisitions.

Blue Jays’ offseason enhancements

With the potential inclusion of Scherzer, the Blue Jays aim to fortify their roster, adding an eighth player that brings wisdom and proficiency to optimize their prospects for a successful 2026 season.

These are the Blue Jays’ key offseason acquisitions:

• Dylan Cease (SP)
• Kazuma Okamoto (3B/DH)
• Cody Ponce (SP)
• Tyler Rogers (RP)
• Josh Fleming (LHP)
• Eloy Jimenez (DH)
• Chase Lee (RP)

The Blue Jays are set on a positive trajectory heading into the new season. As they await the commencement of spring training and the World Baseball Classic, anticipation builds for an exciting MLB regular season starting in March.

According to a report by MLB.com‘s Mark Feinsand, opinions vary among MLB executives about the future prospects of Verlander and Scherzer, two prominent names still available in the upcoming season’s free agency market.

Despite rumors linking both veterans to the Tigers and the Baltimore Orioles, and with the Blue Jays reportedly interested in reuniting with Scherzer, uncertainty still clouds their future in the league. Some executives believe they have one last opportunity to showcase their skills, although several factors must be weighed before any offers are extended.

“I think they both have something left in the tank,” an American League executive told Feinsand. Another executive added, “Out of respect for these two future Hall of Famers, I wouldn’t want to completely discount what they might achieve in a shorter stretch in 2026. It’s just difficult to rely on it for the majority of the season.“

An executive’s advice for Verlander and Scherzer

As some franchises reportedly show interest in signing these seasoned players for the next season, one executive shared thoughts on Verlander and Scherzer’s potential futures, offering advice as they look toward the upcoming season.

“Signing toward the end of April, ramping up in May, and delivering around 70 innings could be an ideal path,” the executive suggested to Feinsand, particularly for Scherzer as he strategizes for the next year.

Teams pursuing Verlander and Scherzer

In addition to the Orioles and Tigers expressing interest in both players, other franchises have identified them as prime targets to strengthen their rosters for the forthcoming season.

Here are the teams interested in each player:

• Justin Verlander: Houston Astros, Detroit Tigers, Baltimore Orioles, and Philadelphia Phillies.
• Max Scherzer: Toronto Blue Jays, Detroit Tigers, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Baltimore Orioles.

“In a telephone conversation Thursday, free-agent right-hander Max Scherzer said he is healthy and ready to sign at any moment if certain teams call. But if the right opportunity is not available, Scherzer also is content to wait until after Opening Day for an opening to emerge with one of his preferred clubs,” Rosenthal wrote for The Athletic.

Which team is that preferred club? No one knows for sure. However, considering that Scherzer pitched well for the Rangers in 2024 and won his second World Series ring with them, it would not be surprising if Texas were among the teams he has in mind. That said, with the Blue Jays he also had a chance to return to the postseason, something he missed in 2024.

Scherzer could stay close to home

According to Rosenthal’s analysis, Scherzer could prioritize staying near his family, who currently live in Florida. That has led to speculation that the Miami Marlins could be an option, especially since Toronto is far from where his family is based.

“But he could follow a plan similar to the one Roger Clemens employed in 2007, when he signed with the New York Yankees on May 6 for his age-44 and final season. At this stage of his career, Scherzer can afford to be choosy, remaining at home with his wife, Erica, and four children until he gets the right offer.”

Last season, Scherzer finished with a 5.19 ERA across 17 regular-season starts with the Blue Jays. In the postseason, he appeared in three games for Toronto and posted a 3.77 ERA over 14.1 innings. It was not his best year overall, but he still played a key role in helping the team make a deep run.

Spotrac values Scherzer at only a $9 million average annual salary. While this is not a definitive salary figure, it indicates that he could potentially return to the Blue Jays for an amount inferior to what he earned last year.

It should be remembered that Scott Boras is Scherzer’s agent, meaning negotiations will not be easy for the Blue Jays. The most interesting fact is that despite being a veteran pitcher, he has not received a salary of less than $10 million since 2013; from that point on, $15.5 million has been his minimum take-home pay.

Blue Jays ready to spend money

In a recent article for Sportsnet, Shi Davidi revealed that the Blue Jays would be willing to spend money to bring in more top arms should they fail to negotiate with Scherzer. This includes a former Phillies starter who is now a free agent.

“…Something to keep in mind as the Blue Jays explore the markets for the likes of Dylan Cease (whom they tried to trade for last off-season), Ranger Suárez, Michael King and Tatsuya Imai,” Davidi wrote, detailing how the team has identified alternatives to reinforce the mound.

But these are not the only options. According to Davidi, the Blue Jays are prepared to spend big this offseason to bring different kind of players, similar to other major teams like the Dodgers, Yankees, and Mets, a notion also supported by Bob Nightengale’s reporting.