Toronto Blue Jays right-handed starting pitcher Max Scherzer was healthy to begin the 2026 MLB season. After going down on April 25 with a forearm strain, he worked back to join the Blue Jays only to go on the injured list again with back spasms June 14.
Scherzer will turn 42 in a couple weeks. In six starts this year, he has only managed to go 22 innings pitched. The righty is 1-4 with a 10.23 ERA, 14 strikeouts and 11 walks.
Now trying to come back from back spasms, Scherzer has made two rehab starts in the minors at High-A Vancouver and Triple-A Buffalo. Approaching the end of his rehab, Sportsnet reporter Arden Zwelling said he may re-join the big league club immediately after the break.
If the team chooses to select Scherzer to the active roster when he is healthy, they have a personnel choice to make concerning the pitching depth. The move would theoretically give them six starting pitchers.
The odd man out may end up being fellow right-hander Shane Bieber. The 31-year-old has had some rough outings after coming back from some elbow issues.
In three starts and 13 innings pitched, Bieber is 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA. He has struck out nine, walked seven and surrendered a concerning six home runs.
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Bieber and Scherzer have not looked their best in 2026, but it seems like Toronto remains committed to them. A six-man rotation might not be the choice if they continue to struggle. One of them could be headed to the bullpen, as there are some open slots now in that area of the team with the trade of Tommy Nance.
Another casualty could be right-hander Chad Dallas, who has been up and down to Triple-A this year. A Bieber/Scherzer move to the bullpen would give the club another long relief arm alongside lefty Patrick Corbin.
The Blue Jays are 44-49, 11 games behind the first-place Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East. They will play a weekend series at the San Diego Padres as their last before the upcoming All-Star Break.
