The Toronto Blue Jays did not bring Max Scherzer back to make him less well-known.
They brought him back because they think he can still make a difference.
The veteran right-hander seems to be on a fast track to game action after returning to camp in Dunedin. According to MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson, he has been throwing a high-intensity bullpen session while manager John Schneider and pitching coach Pete Walker watched. Schneider told Matheson early today that if all goes as planned, Scherzer may make his spring training debut as early as this weekend, possibly on Saturday.
The Blue Jays have less than a month to establish their rotation arrangement before Opening Day on March 27 at Rogers Centre against the Athletics. And even while this lineup appears great on paper, things aren’t as stable as they seem.
Why the Timeline Is Moving Quickly
Scherzer has been busy. He was already throwing to batters in Jupiter before he got to Dunedin. This gave Toronto a head start that lets it skip the slow ramp-up period typical of veteran arms. The organization is comfortable putting him in a Grapefruit League game in a few days because of that groundwork.
According to Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi, his one-year deal is worth $3 million, with bonuses that may bring it up to $10 million. This shows that he is cautious but also has a lot of potential. Scherzer is not getting paid by the Blue Jays in 2017. They are investing in gaining a competitive advantage, expertise in October, and dependability in high-pressure situations.
And there is a history of this.
Scherzer’s regular-season numbers from last year were not very good: a 5.19 ERA over 85 innings. But it doesn’t tell the whole tale. In October, he stepped up his game, pitching 14.1 innings in the postseason with 11 strikeouts and markedly better control. Toronto thinks it can get that version of Scherzer back.
Where He Fits in a Crowded Rotation
The Blue Jays’ depth chart makes things more interesting in a good way.
The top of the rotation is secure now that Dylan Cease has joined the team and José Berríos is already there. Shane Bieber‘s late start because of forearm fatigue makes the middle innings less clear, and Trey Yesavage, who did well in the postseason, is expected to have his workload carefully regulated.
At that point, Scherzer is more than just a name.
He doesn’t have to be the best pitcher in the rotation. He needs to keep things stable. A bridge. A rival who can give you five tough innings in April and maybe something far more important in October.
If he plays on Saturday, expect a controlled outing with one or two innings and 25 to 35 pitches. The focus will be on how well he throws his fastball and how it feels. The real test won’t be speed, but how well he sequences and recovers between innings. The Blue Jays care just as much about how his body reacts 48 hours later as they do about radar gun readings.
Toronto doesn’t need to push him, even though Opening Day is still an option. The depth gives you options. The incentives in his contract reward being available rather than being in a hurry.
The mood in camp, though, makes it clear that this is not a perfunctory reunion.
Mad Max didn’t come back to the coast until March.
The Blue Jays might not have to wait long to see him play in a game if his bullpen sessions are any indication. They are lively, never-ending, and competitive. And the true test starts when he’s on that mound in Dunedin.
Blue Jays’ Veteran Could Make Spring Debut This Weekend as Rotation Picture Shifts