ST. PETERSBURG, FL – MAY 04: Max Scherzer #31 of the Toronto Blue Jays takes the field prior to the game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Monday, May 4, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Alex Zadorozny/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Toronto Blue Jays’ pitching depth has taken yet another hit amid a season of disappointing healthy setbacks for the club.
And as the team continues searching for answers with the trade deadline looming, every rotation decision has taken on added significance. Now it seems the team could be desperate to rush future Hall of Fame starter Max Scherzer back from his own injury with time running out to get back into the playoff hunt.
Toronto Blue Jays Send Max Scherzer Message Ahead Of Trade Deadline
Last week, the Blue Jays lost veteran starter Patrick Corbin to the injury list, leaving the team with fewer experienced options capable of providing innings. Shortly after that injury news surfaced, the team indicated that it might look to rush Scherzer’s rehab to fill the gap.
“Patrick Corbin’s injury and Blue Jays lack of length options could change calculus of Scherzer’s return,” Sportsnet’s Arden Zwelling reported. “It’s possible he foregoes another rehab outing and makes his next start in (the) majors. John Schneider says Scherzer could be ‘a little bit more needed than he was (before Corbin’s injury).'”
Though the Blue Jays might have little choice after losing another pitcher to injury, that return would mark a pretty quick turnaround for Scherzer, who has struggled to stay healthy in recent seasons. But his latest outing was an encouraging start that he could be ready.
“Despite having his current rehab stint paused after needing three injections in his right thumb over the All-Star break, Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer delivered a vintage performance in his return to the mound with Triple-A Buffalo,” MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson noted last week. “Scherzer made his third rehab start of his current ramp-up … for the Bisons, continuing to trend back to Toronto’s Major League rotation after hitting the injured list with a back injury in mid-June.”
That performance could be key to the Blue Jays’ decision on Scherzer’s timeline. While Toronto had initially appeared willing to remain patient with his buildup, the circumstances surrounding the rotation have shifted dramatically.
Toronto Blue Jays Season Sits In Crisis As Trade Deadline Looms
After surging to the American League pennant last year, the Blue Jays reinforced their roster over the winter and appeared poised for another deep playoff run.
Instead, the team has encountered numerous significant injuries and performance regressions throughout the roster. The team has been in last place in the American League East division and might have little choice but to offload veterans on expiring contracts before the trade deadline.
If Scherzer does return this week, it could be as an audition for a trade suitor.
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