Blue Jays Notes: Scherzer, Bieber, Rotation Depth

Max Scherzer has been on the injured list for about a month due to right forearm tendinitis and left ankle inflammation. His five starts for Toronto before the IL were inconsistent, including two solid outings and several starts where he failed to reach three innings because of injury or ineffectiveness. He threw about 30 pitches in a bullpen session, and Toronto is considering the next step as another bullpen or facing live hitters before a rehab assignment. The team’s injury tracker projects a return in early to mid-June, with a later return possible if additional rehab starts are needed. Toronto’s rotation has been depleted by other injuries, making Scherzer’s return important for depth.

"41-year-old Max Scherzer has been on the 15-day injured list for about a month with a combination of right forearm tendinitis and left ankle inflammation. The five starts he made for the Blue Jays before landing on the IL were a mixed bag. Scherzer allowed one earned run in six innings in his season debut on March 31st, then two earned runs in another six innings on April 18th. However, Scherzer failed to complete three innings in his other three starts, be it due to injury or ineffectiveness."

"Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet reports that Scherzer threw around 30 pitches in a bullpen session yesterday. The Jays are considering another bullpen or facing live hitters as the next step, followed by a rehab assignment. Per the team's injury tracker at MLB.com, Scherzer is in line to return in early- to mid-June. A return on the later side might be realistic if the veteran needs three or four rehab starts."

"The depleted state of Toronto's rotation depth is well-known at this point. Shane Bieber has been on the IL since late March with right elbow inflammation. 's return stateside lasted one start before an ACL sprain put him out until next year. More recently, was traded to the Dodgers and José Berríos underwent Tommy John surgery, putting him out until midway through next year. The fact that Toronto is giving starts to Patrick Corbin, who had a 5.47 ERA from 2021-25, speaks to the Blue Jays' need for rotation depth."

"None of that takes away from the rotation's performance overall. The group's 3.86 ERA is ninth-best in the Majors, while their 4.9 fWAR ranks sixth-best. Dylan Cease (2.0 fWAR) and Kevin Gausman (1.8) are in the Top 10 of qualified starters. Trey Yesavage has a 1.07 ERA in five starts since returning from injury and has not yet allowed a home run. Rather, it's the back of the rotation that needs reinforcement."

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