Max Scherzer has tremendous outing with Buffalo

The Toronto Blue Jays got some encouraging news on the injury front with a dominant performance from Max Scherzer in a rehab start for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons on Wednesday afternoon. The veteran right-hander flashed his vintage form, pitching five no-hit innings with seven strikeouts.

The outing is a sign that Scherzer should be close to returning to the big leagues soon. The beleaguered pitching staff could use all the help they can get, but it’s unclear how useful Mad Max can be given his age, injury history, and declining stuff in what is widely expected to be his last season. 

As good as the 41-year-old looked, it was just another box to check in his recovery from a thumb injury that has had him on the shelf for weeks. Scherzer is expected to make at least one more start for the Bisons before being activated, but it’s fair to wonder how much he has left. 

A MaX Scherzer return at this point feels more like a gesture of good faith than a move to stay competitive

In six starts, the future Hall of Famer is 1-4 with a 10.23 ERA, surrendering 25 earned runs,11 walks, and nine home runs over 22 innings. Despite those ugly numbers, there have been bright spots. 

In his first start of the season, Scherzer earned his lone win with six strong innings, scattering four hits and one earned run. He also pitched six frames with two runs allowed in an April 18 start against the Diamondbacks.

There was a four-start stretch last season when the eight-time All-Star went 3-1 with a 1.80 ERA over 25 innings pitched. Then there was the memorable postseason run where Scherzer pitched to a solid 3.77 ERA, earning a win in Game 4 of the ALCS against the Seattle Mariners, and famously chasing Manager John Schneider from the mound. 

It’s clear the fiery gamer is motivated to get back and compete, but the next week will determine many things. If the Blue Jays go on an improbable run, Scherzer could help stabilize the rotation for a potential playoff push. Or he could help fill out the staff if the Blue Jays are sellers at the trade deadline and move Kevin Gausman and/or Shane Bieber. There’s also been speculation that Scherzer could be a “flier” trade target for contending teams, although he has a full no-trade clause in his contract. 

If a healthy, rejuvenated Mad Max can regain the stuff he's flashed at times over the last two seasons, he'd energize the club and relieve the pressure of a bullpen that has been taxed throughout the season, with the second-most innings pitched by their bullpen in the American League.

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