The Toronto Blue Jays have opened the 2026 season dealing with significant challenges on the pitching side, as multiple starters have already landed on the injured list.
That has placed increased pressure on the healthy arms remaining in the rotation, with 41-year-old Max Scherzer called into action in his first outing of the season on Tuesday.
Scherzer delivered six innings of one-run ball in a 5-1 win over the Colorado Rockies. His performance helped stabilize a Blue Jays rotation that was forced to relly heavily on its bullpen after Cody Ponce's early exit the previous night.
The outing also marked Scherzer’s return to the mound after an uneven 2025 season in which injuries limited both his availability and effectiveness, with the veteran posting a 5.19 ERA across 85 innings.
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But even after Tuesday's win, Scherzer downplayed the significance of early-season results, focusing instead on the long season ahead.
“We’re just playing good ball,” Scherzer said. “It’s five games in and you can’t celebrate it. You realize how much more season is in front of you, but at least we’re getting off the blocks in a good way.”
Scherzer also pointed to the need for consistency across the Blue Jays' rotation early on, especially with several key pitchers already on the shelves.
“One turn through the rotation, everybody has gone out there and done their job. We need more of that,” Scherzer said.
The 41-year-old is part of an active rotation that includes Kevin Gausman, Dylan Cease, Eric Lauer and the recently recalled Lazaro Estrada, who are expected to carry a larger workload while the team manages injuries.
“We’re getting tested right now,” Scherzer said. “For the rest of us, we’ve got to be very careful. Don’t take any chances. Don’t do anything risky right now.”
Scherzer signed a one-year, $3-million contract to return to Toronto, with up to $10 millino in incentives, per Sportsnet's Shi Dadivi.
The Blue Jays will continue their series against the Rockies as they look to build on their early-season start.
