Bum thumb sends Max Scherzer to IL three innings into his Blue Jays career

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After leaving the mound due to injury just three innings into his Blue Jays career, Max Scherzer said on Saturday that he won’t pitch again until his thumb his 100%.

And on Sunday, the team confirmed that it might take a while.

Prior to the finale of a four-game series against the Baltimore Orioles, the Jays announced that the 40-year-old veteran was headed to the 15-day injured list with what is being described as “right thumb inflammation.”

A frustrated Scherzer said following Saturday’s start — in which he allowed a pair of first-inning homers in an eventual 9-5 Jays loss to the O’s — that he would get the issue sorted out before returning to action. Now that process has begun.

“Yeah, I’m frustrated,” Scherzer said following the game. “I want to pitch. I know I can pitch. I know I can throw the ball really well. Unfortunately, I’ve got an issue going on. It’s coming from the thumb and I’ve got to address this.

“I’ve got to zero out that thumb before I can pitch again.”

The issue is particularly annoying to the eight-time all-star in that it bothered him for much of last season as well, a campaign in which he threw just 43.1 innings in nine appearances for the Texas Rangers. The Jays were well aware of those struggles, of course, but felt confident enough in a recovery that they signed Scherzer to a one-year, $15.5 million US contract.

It was hoped that Scherzer’s presence would be a positive influence on the Jays rotation and that he would return to some of his elite form. The right hander certainly showed flashes of that during spring training, where he was particularly effective in his first three starts before the bothersome thumb reappeared.

The biggest issue with the thumb is twofold, according to Scherzer. First, the pain and discomfort make it difficult to grip the ball properly. Second, the rest of his body has to compensate for the thumb problem, which leads to other problems. In 2024, that was a sore shoulder, on Saturday, it was an issue with his lat.

The departure of Scherzer for a minimum of three starts – and likely more – leaves the Jays rotation thin. The team recalled left hander Easton Lucas on Sunday to take the veteran’s spot on the roster.