Blue Jays' Scherzer could pitch in minor league game this weekend

Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer threw 40 pitches of live batting practice Tuesday and could pitch in a minor league game this weekend, manager John Schneider said.

A three-time Cy Young Award winner, Scherzer left his debut start with the Blue Jays against Baltimore on March 29 after three innings because of soreness in his right lat muscle. The next day, Toronto put Scherzer on the injured list because of inflammation in his thumb.

The 40-year-old Scherzer signed a one-year, $15.5-million US deal with the Blue Jays in February. He went 2-4 with a 3.95 earned-run average in nine starts for Texas last season, starting the year on the injured list while recovering from lower back surgery. He also had a stint on the IL with shoulder fatigue and didn't pitch after Sept. 14 because of a left hamstring strain.

Scherzer has had two cortisone injections this season to relieve inflammation in his thumb. He was transferred to the 60-day injured list last month but became eligible to return May 29.

Schneider said Scherzer is expected to pitch in either a simulated game or a Florida Complex League game on Sunday. The next step would be a minor league rehab assignment.

Scherzer won World Series titles with Washington in 2019 and Texas in 2023. He won his first Cy Young Award after going 21-3 with a 2.90 ERA in 32 starts for Detroit in 2013. The eight-time all-star earned consecutive National League Cy Young Awards with Washington in 2016 and 2017.

Schneider said slugger Anthony Santander had an injection to relieve pain in his sore left shoulder, adding Santander will take five to seven days off before resuming baseball activity. Santander went on the 10-day IL on Friday.

Also Tuesday, the Blue Jays activated infielder Andres Gimenez (right quad) off the 10-day IL and he went 0-for-3 with a walk in Monday's series-opening 8-3 loss to the visiting Philadelphia Phillies. Catcher Tyler Heineman also was activated off the seven-day concussion IL.

To make room on the roster, infielder Michael Stefanic and catcher Ali Sanchez were designated for assignment.

Bullish bullpen

One of Toronto's most-improved areas is the bullpen, which is ranked ninth in the major leagues with a 3.47 earned-run average entering Tuesday's action.

That's down significantly from the bullpen's 4.82 ERA in 2024, the second-worst mark among the 30 teams.

With setup man Yimi Garcia on the injured list, Brendon Little (3-0, 1.37), Mason Fluharty (3-1, 3.33), Chad Green (1-1, 3.91) and Yariel Rodriguez (0-0, 2.73) have stepped up in his absence.

Closer Jeff Hoffman has earned 13 saves in 16 opportunities. His three blown saves have boosted his ERA to a rather bloated 5.81.

So-so starters

Injuries and middling performances have led to a starting rotation that has been serviceable but capable of much more.

Veterans Jose Berrios, Kevin Gausman and Chris Bassitt have been steady with the three right-handers posting remarkably similar numbers (all between 3.80-3.90 ERA, 66-70 IP and 65-70 strikeouts).

Bowden Francis (2-7, 5.84) has been unable to duplicate his strong second half from 2024, and Scherzer has pitched only three innings.

Scherzer's absence has forced manager John Schneider to turn to spot starters and openers, often for so-called bullpen games.

Alek Manoah (elbow surgery) could make his season debut this summer.

Numbers game

It's early days with almost two-thirds of the season still to go, but the 31-29 Blue Jays appear to be a coin flip to make the post-season.

Before Tuesday, Baseball Prospectus' PECOTA standings pegged Toronto's playoff chances at 48.6 per cent, slightly ahead of FanGraphs' projections at 43.1 per cent.

Cleveland started the day in the American League's first wild-card spot at 32-27. Toronto was one of four teams within 1 ½ games of the Guardians.

The Blue Jays made the playoffs in three of four years before finishing last in the East Division standings in 2024. Toronto hasn't won a playoff game since 2016.