A Blue Jays reunion with future Hall of Fame pitcher might be more in play than ever

Toronto Blue Jays were heading into the 2026 MLB season with massive starting pitching depth, until news broke on the first day of Spring Training that two of their pitchers won’t be available for an extended period of time due to injuries. Shane Bieber is dealing with forearm fatigue and will miss the start of the regular season, while news for Bowden Francis was even worse, as he will miss the entire 2026 year due to an elbow injury that will require UCL reconstructive surgery.

Suddenly, the valuable starting pitching depth that the Blue Jays had built thinned somewhat. As a result, Toronto should look to re-establish that depth and they could do so by reuniting with future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer. 

A Blue Jays reunion with future Hall of Fame pitcher now might be more in play than ever

Based on their current setup in the rotation, the Blue Jays don’t need to add an elite pitcher from free agency that would demand a multi-year deal such as a Lucas Giolito or Zac Gallen. What Toronto needs is someone that could step in to give valuable starter innings just this one year to help with load management for Bieber as he fully recovers from his ailment. With Scherzer, he can provide exactly that without the Blue Jays having to blow the bank once again this offseason.

After all, Toronto did recently express interest in bringing back the former three-time Cy Young winner to give him another shot with the team. At this point in his career where retirement is calling for his name, Scherzer won’t be worrying too much about the money but instead to have that one last chance at glory. Moreover, he should be more than willing to accept any assignment that he has been given, as long as it gives the team the best chances at winning.

He certainly came close with the Blue Jays in winning it all in 2025. Despite missing a significant chunk of last season, Scherzer still averaged five innings per start for Toronto after returning from injury. In doing so, the Blue Jays went 9-8 in his starts, ultimately helping the team return to the postseason after missing out in 2024. 

More importantly, the 41-year-old veteran rose to the occasion during the 2025 MLB Playoffs, going 1-0 with a tidy 3.77 ERA along with 11 strikeouts in 14.1 innings over three postseason starts. Not to forget Scherzer pitched in the pivotal Game 7 of the World Series and gave the Jays every chance to win when he left the game in the fifth inning with the team up 3-1 over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Of course, the final result though was not what exactly Scherzer and the Blue Jays had envisioned. Nevertheless, he would want to have the opportunity to right the wrong with one more chance with the Blue Jays this season. And for someone that has suddenly become a fan favourite already in just his one season with the club, Toronto should seriously consider the reunion for the sake of the fans and the current state of their starting pitching depth as a result.