Navigating Max Scherzer's absence an ongoing challenge for Blue Jays

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For reasons in part to help preserve his day-to-day sanity, manager John Schneider tries not to allow himself to think of the boost Max Scherzer would give to the Blue Jays rotation.

Not yet, anyway.

Even with Scherzer’s positive steps lately, a return to big-league game action is still weeks away at best. That means top of mind almost daily is the ongoing challenge of navigating the veteran all-star’s absence every five days.

For the most recent turn through the rotation, Schneider successfully utilized a bullpen day that unfolded to perfection in a 2-1 win over the Detroit Tigers on Saturday. The ‘start’ in that one, went to Eric Lauer, who allowed one run over three innings to get things rolling.

It has been a revolving door through the rest of the season with Friday’s game in Tampa the 10th occurrence of this less-than-ideal circumstance.

So far, Easton Lucas has the most ‘starts’ at four, but two terrific outings were followed by a pair of duds and a return to triple-A Buffalo where he remains.

The other four assignments at the bottom of the rotation have gone to Jose Urena, with two, and Scherzer and Yariel Rodriguez with one each.

While it hasn’t hurt the Jays dramatically — yet — with the wear and tear it brings on both starters and relievers, going with a four-man rotation is at best living on the edge and at worst not sustainable for the long haul of a season.

That’s why news this week that Scherzer is making progress towards a return — even if it’s still off in the distance — is cautiously encouraging.

“I think the other guys that we’ve (used) have done a really good job of kind of being the fifth guy,” said rotational workhorse Chris Bassitt. “So I don’t think it’s really an issue. We’re not really thinking like we only have four starters.”

This is true partly because they don’t have a choice. With Bassitt, Kevin Gausman and Jose Berrios all dealing stellar outings in their most recent starts helps significantly by preserving the bullpen. On the other hand, Bowden Francis going only four innings on Thursday and being followed by seven relievers in the extra-innings win over the Padres is not.

The key, in Bassitt’s mind, is for the four regulars in the rotation to lock in and take care of business to make up for Scherzer’s absence.

“I think it’s more, I wouldn’t say pressure, but more so the four guys getting the job done and just having good outings,” Bassitt said.

As challenging as it is to navigate the longer the team is without a true fifth in the rotation, Berrios said he deflects the pressure by emphasizing his routine.

“It’s more focusing on consistency,” said Berrios, who is first in the rotation. “You don’t have room for an off-day to take a break. You have to keep in your routine every day.”

Schneider believes the staff has handled the consequences of a lack of organizational starting pitching depth as well as could be expected.

“Pretty good, so far,” is Schneider’s assessment of how it has gone since March 29, when Scherzer was removed three innings into what has been his only start. “It changes every time through. But we’re just trying to be aware of what it does to the bullpen guys. I think we’ve done a pretty good job.

“I think they all have a good idea of where they are going to pitch obviously. The guys pitching before or after those spot starts, well, the load that goes on them.”

Schneider acknowledged that if there is a complication, it’s that the mystery spot comes after Francis’ turn. The longer Francis struggles, the tougher it is on the bullpen.

“In an ideal world (that would be broken up), but the schedule hasn’t really lined up for that,” Schneider said.

The situation is less than optimal with Schneider, pitching coach Pete Walker and the baseball operations department crafting a plan week-to-week. Hoping to follow up that performance against the Tigers, the Jays have pegged Lauer for Friday’s assignment in Tampa, ideally to go longer than the three innings he pitched in his previous outing.

Turning to the large looming presence of Scherzer — even with the uncertainty — it’s difficult not to get enthused.

The 40-year-old veteran, who threw a bullpen session for the second time this week on Thursday, has been a steady presence in the Jays dugout and clubhouse. But the real return for the one-year, $15.5-million US contract comes when he returns to the mound.

“We can be really good,” Bassitt said. “And obviously getting him back, stabilizing that fifth day, hopefully he can go deep into games. If he’s healthy, even at 40 he can still be your No. 1.

“So yeah, getting him back would be huge.”

No need to remind the manager who is well aware of Scherzer’s presence and potential influence,

“The sooner the better, obviously,” Schneider said of a possible return. “When you’re looking at it, I think that’s the point of the year when you want to kind of put your best foot forward and see where you are by the end of July.”