Scherzer’s Rehabilitation Halted
Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider announced that veteran pitcher Max Scherzer has paused his rehabilitation assignment. This decision follows Scherzer receiving three cortisone injections in his right thumb on Monday. The news was shared with reporters, as confirmed by Sportsnet’s Arden Zwelling.
Scherzer, in his 19th year, has made only six appearances for Toronto this season. Across 22 innings of work, he holds a 10.23 ERA. As part of his recovery, the 41-year-old had made four starts with triple-A Buffalo, where he recorded a 5.93 ERA over 13.2 innings pitched. The three-time Cy Young winner re-signed with Toronto on a one-year deal prior to the 2026 season.
The pause in Scherzer’s rehab adds to the challenges facing the Blue Jays’ pitching rotation. His potential return to the major league club is now uncertain, with Schneider using the term “pause” to describe the situation. The need for three cortisone injections highlights the severity of the issue with his right thumb.
Additional Injury Updates
Manager Schneider also provided updates on several other injured players on Friday. Among them is Anthony Santander, who experienced increased shoulder soreness as he progressed in his rehab. Santander also received a cortisone injection and is expected to be sidelined for five to seven days before he can resume activity. The former Silver Slugger has not yet played in the 2026 season, following an injury-affected 2025 season where he made just 54 appearances for the Blue Jays after signing a five-year deal last summer. Santander’s first season in Toronto in 2025 was marked by injuries, limiting his playing time significantly.
Outfielder Jesus Sanchez, currently on the 10-day injured list due to an ankle injury, is scheduled to hit against live pitching on Saturday. He is also expected to resume base-running next week, with a rehab assignment potentially beginning shortly thereafter. Meanwhile, Addison Barger, who is also on the 10-day injured list with back and elbow issues, remains out of baseball activities. Schneider noted that Barger has yet to begin any activity, which suggests a prolonged absence. Barger has appeared in only nine games this season, recording one hit in 22 at-bats and striking out seven times.
The team’s starting pitching continues to be a significant concern. The news regarding Scherzer is not seen as encouraging for the club. In an effort to address pitching depth, the Blue Jays signed Patrick Corbin, a former teammate of Scherzer’s with the Washington Nationals, to a $1-million deal. Corbin initially exceeded expectations but was later moved to the bullpen.
Looking Ahead for the Blue Jays
The Blue Jays returned to the Rogers Centre on Friday night for their series opener against the Chicago White Sox, marking their first home game since a 9-3 victory over the New York Mets on Canada Day. The stadium’s roof was closed for the game due to less than ideal air quality. The team continues to face challenges on the injury front, particularly with key players like Scherzer and Santander.
Another area of focus for the Blue Jays as the MLB’s August 3 trade deadline approaches is acquiring a power bat. Addison Barger was once considered a key prospect in this regard, especially after last year’s post-season run, but his ongoing injuries have prevented him from contributing. The team had hoped that free-agent acquisition Anthony Santander, who had a strong 2024 season with the Baltimore Orioles, would fill this role, but his 2026 season has yet to begin due to injury.
In other injury news, reliever Yimi Garcia is scheduled to throw live batting practice on Saturday in Dunedin, Florida, as he works his way back from the 60-day injured list. Garcia, who was used in high-leverage situations when healthy, has not appeared in a game this season due to an elbow issue.
The Blue Jays are navigating a period with significant injury concerns, impacting both their pitching rotation and offensive capabilities as the season progresses. The team’s manager provided these updates on Friday.
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Source: sportsnet.ca
