What’s next for the Blue Jays’ rotation?

We're not even 10 games into the 2025 season and the Blue Jays pitching staff is already scrambling. Max Scherzer has found his way onto the injured list with thumb inflammation, so Toronto will need to find a way to supplement it's rotation in the meantime.

There are a few options on the 40-man roster that make some sense, but they all have warts and issues to work around. With that in mind, heres a look at some of the options the Blue Jays should consider when thinking about replacing Scherzer in the rotation for the time being.

This is how the Blue Jays may fill in the void from Max Scherzer's injury

The first option who comes to mind is Yariel Rodríguez. While he's currently in Toronto's bullpen, he spent all of last year as a starter and was stretched out to be a starter in the spring.

He's made three appearances so far this season and has allowed five hits and four earned runs over three innings. Rodríguez has tossed three innings, allowing a five hits, four earned runs, walked two, and struck out four. That ineffectiveness could take him out of the running for a spot.

One option they could consider doing with him is doing a quasi-bullpen game with him and have him go two or three innings at the start of a game before handing things over to the rest of the 'pen.

Another option is Easton Lucas, who got the call-up when Scherzer got hurt. The 28-year-old journeyman finished last season with Toronto after pitching with Oakland and Detroit. He struggled in his 8 1/3 innings during spring training, but he'll get the first crack at earning a spot in the rotation.

Lucas posted an ERA of 2.75 across 68 2/3 minor league winnings with a FIP of 3.61 and a WHIP of 1.12. Those numbers are excellent, but once he got to the big leagues, his ERA got up to 10.80 in 11 2/3 innings. While opportunity in the big leagues weren't long, he struggled when given an opportunity.

Losing Scherzer is a big blow to the rotation, but it seems like he could be back soon. But until he comes back, we'll get a chance to see if Rodríguez, Lucas or someone else can show us something.