Blue Jays eagerly await Max Scherzer's return to bolster a thinning starting rotation

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The Max Scherzer watch has officially begun, a consensus first-ballot Hall of Fame pitcher who may tip the scales in Toronto’s favour once he’s back on the mound and once he is able to showcase his durability.

Big questions loom for such a piece of the pitching puzzle who is scheduled to throw a side session Sunday, a day when the Blue Jays wrap up their three-game series against the visiting Chicago White Sox.

The original plan involved the right-hander throwing a bullpen session Saturday.

Allowing Scherzer an extra day shouldn’t be perceived as any setback, but given his injury history the uncertainty surrounding the soon-to-be 41-year-old all options remain on the table.

The crux of Scherzer’s issue is his thumb/hand, a source of concern in recent years.

His expected road back to the majors involved making rehab starts with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.

In the aftermath of his most recent outing, Scherzer, according to the Jays, experienced soreness in the hand, which is to be expected.

With the Bisons, Scherzer pitched 8.2 innings over two starts, a span that included giving up two runs, while recording 12 strikeouts.

Assuming all goes well Sunday, Scherzer remains in line to start next week in Cleveland.

His likely return will most assuredly provide a lift to a starting rotation in desperate need of a spark.

Scherzer has been on the injured list almost from the moment he made his debut on March 29 against the visiting Baltimore Orioles, an outing that lasted all of three innings.

The initial diagnosis was lat soreness, but the pain developed as a side effect of compensating for a nerve issue in his thumb.

Without Scherzer, the Jays have been operating with a four-pitcher starting rotation, made weaker following the struggles of Bowden Francis and made thinner in the wake of Francis landing on the IL because of shoulder impingement.

As a result, the bullpen has been forced to push the envelope.

On most nights, the Jays have found ways to persevere.

Then came Friday night when Spencer Turnbull gave the Jays two innings of inferior pitching as the White Sox jumped all over the Jays in a 7-1 rout.

It’s safe to say once Scherzer gets cleared, the likely casualty will be Turnbull.

“We haven’t really had a ton of discussions about that,” said Turnbull. “I’m just trying to stay flexible and just do whatever they ask. I just want to do whatever I can to help the team.

“If Scherzer’s ready to come back, that’s awesome. He’s one of the best ever to do it. He’ll help the team a lot when he gets up here.”

Eric Lauer has filled in admirably, but a healthy Scherzer, even at his advanced age and injury history, is an upgrade.

What’s clear is a repeat of Friday night can’t happen, made worse knowing the Pale Hose went with an opener and four relievers in limiting the Jays to seven hits, including three by Bo Bichette.